Environmentally friendly textile soft goods retail packaging incorporating vacuum-sealable bags reusable by consumers

ABSTRACT

An environmentally friendly system in which product packaging is reused post purchase by consumers includes: packaging textile soft goods products for retail sale comprising, for each textile soft goods product, the steps of locating textile soft goods within an interior space of a reusable vacuum-resealable bag, locating the vacuum-resealable bag within retail packaging, and identifying the textile soft goods contained in the vacuum-resealable bag by physically associating printed media with the retail packaging; and advertising as a selling point to consumers the reusability of the vacuum-resealable bags of the textile soft goods products for retail sale. Each vacuum-resealable bag is reusable for vacuum-packing by a consumer after the textile soft goods have been removed therefrom post purchase.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is a continuation patent application of, andclaims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 to, U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/482,961, filed Sep. 15, 2010, which '961 patent application andany publication thereof and patent issuing therefrom is incorporated byreference herein, and which '961 patent application is a U.S.nonprovisional patent application of, and claims priority under 35U.S.C. §119(e) to, U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No.61/242,791, filed Sep. 15, 2009, which provisional patent application isincorporated by reference herein. The present application furtherincorporates by reference U.S. nonprovisional patent application Ser.No. 29/343,570 and any patent issuing therefrom.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyrightprotection under the copyright laws of the United States and othercountries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimilereproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure,as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all othercopyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Currently, there exist vacuum-sealable bags for purchase by a consumerto facilitate storage of soft goods in their home or residence. Thesevacuum-sealable bags include a re-sealable mouth providing access to aninterior of the bag. A user can place a soft good 2 inside of avacuum-resealable bag 4 via the mouth 6, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, andthen seal the mouth as partially illustrated in FIG. 1B. Such avacuum-sealable bag further includes a one-way valve 8. After a user hassealed the mouth, the user can engage the one-way valve with a nozzle 10of a household vacuum appliance (such as, for example, the vacuumappliance 12 illustrated in FIG. 2) to evacuate air from of the interiorof the vacuum-sealable bag, resulting in the compressing of the softgood located within the vacuum-sealable bag as illustrated in FIG. 1C.When the user is satisfied with the result, or as much air as ispractical has been evacuated from the bag, the user can remove thenozzle, as illustrated in FIG. 1D. The bag containing the compressedsoft good can then be stored by the user.

A need exists for improvement in the packaging of textile soft goodsand, in particular, a need exists for improvements in the packaging oftextile soft goods for retail sale. This, and other needs, are addressedby one or more aspects of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover,while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in, thecontext of a textile soft goods product for retail sale, the inventionis not limited to use only in this context, as will become apparent fromthe following summaries and detailed descriptions of aspects, features,and one or more embodiments of the invention.

The invention generally relates to the packing of one or more textilesoft goods in a vacuum-sealable bag for retail sale of a textile soft,goods product to a consumer at retail, and further relates to apparatus,methods and systems connected thereto.

In accordance with one or more aspects of the invention, a textile softgood is sold as a product to a consumer at retail. The textile softgoods retail product may comprise any combination or subcombination ofone or more of each of the following textile soft goods, including onlyone of the following textile soft goods: a sheet set; a sheet, includinga top sheet, a fitted sheet, a pillowcase, and any combination thereof;a pillowcase; a comforter; bed ruffles; a bedskirt; a pillow sham;fabric window covering; fabric window treatment; drapery; valence; swag;curtain; mattress pad; electric mattress pad; throw; a towel; a beachtowel; a kitchen towel; a table linen; a table cloth; a napkin; a quilt;a duvet cover; a feather mattress pad; a blanket; an electric blanket; aheated blanket; a bedspread; an area rug; a bath rug; and a kitchen rug.The consumer textile soft goods product may be a bedding ensemble or abedding set. Additionally, in accordance with one or more aspects of theinvention, one or more textile soft goods are compression-packaged in areusable vacuum-sealable bag and thereafter sold at retail in thereusable vacuum-sealable bag. The compression-packaging may includevacuum-packaging and further may be provided as merchandise packagingservices by one party to one or more other third parties.

In an aspect of the invention, a consumer textile soft goods product forretail sale comprises a vacuum-resealable bag and one or more textilesoft goods located within the interior space of the vacuum-resealablebag. The vacuum-resealable has air impermeable walls defining aninterior space of the vacuum-resealable bag; a one-way valve assemblyconfigured to permit air to be evacuated through the one-way valveassembly from the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag but topreclude air from entering the interior space of the vacuum sealable bagthrough the one-way valve assembly; and a closure mechanism configuredto seal a mouth of the vacuum-resealable bag in an airtight manner. Thevacuum-resealable bag is configured to maintain a vacuum conditionwithin the interior space when the closure mechanism seals the mouth ofthe vacuum-resealable bag and air is evacuated through the one-way valveassembly from the interior space defined by the vacuum-resealable bag,and the vacuum-resealable bag is configured to be opened and thenreclosed such that the vacuum-resealable bag is reusable by a consumerfor vacuum-packing compressible articles after the one or more textilesoft goods purchased at retail therein have been removed from thevacuum-resealable bag.

In a feature, the one or more textile soft goods located within theinterior space of the vacuum-resealable bag are maintained in acompressed condition resulting from a pressure differential existingbetween a pressure in the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bagand a pressure exterior to the vacuum-resealable bag.

In a feature, the consumer textile soft goods product for retail salefurther includes retail packaging comprising a case in which thevacuum-resealable bag containing the textile soft goods is contained,wherein a hoop strength of the case is sufficient to maintain thetextile soft goods in a compressed condition within thevacuum-resealable bag upon equalization of the pressure in the interiorspace of the vacuum-resealable bag and a pressure exterior to thevacuum-resealable bag.

In a feature, the one-way valve assembly is located in a wall of thevacuum-resealable bag and is configured to receive a nozzle of a vacuumcleaner hose, whereby the air within the interior space may be evacuatedusing a vacuum cleaner.

In a feature, the one-way valve assembly of the vacuum-resealable bag isconfigured to expel air from the interior space thereof upon rolling upof the vacuum-resealable bag by a consumer for creating a pressuredifferential between a pressure in the interior space of the bag and apressure exterior to the bag.

In a feature, the textile soft goods comprise a plurality of individualbedding components constituting a bedding set.

In a feature, none of the textile soft goods are individually packaged.

In a feature, the consumer textile soft goods product for retail salefurther includes printed media identifying the one or more textile softgoods contained in the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag, theprinted media being physically associated with the vacuum-resealable bagfor viewing by a consumer at retail sale. The printed media may furtheridentify the reusability of the vacuum-resealable bag, the printed mediamay comprise an adhesive label that is attached to the vacuum-resealablebag, and the retail packaging of the textile soft goods product forretail sale may comprise the vacuum-resealable bag.

In a feature, at least a portion of the vacuum-resealable bag istransparent such that one or more contents of the vacuum-resealable bagare viewable there through. In a variation, the material may betranslucent rather than transparent.

In a feature, the consumer textile soft goods product for retail salefurther includes retail packaging defining an interior space in whichthe vacuum-resealable bag containing the textile soft goods iscontained.

In a feature, the consumer textile soft goods product for retail salefurther includes retail packaging comprising a case in which thevacuum-resealable bag containing the textile soft goods is contained,the case configured to be opened and then reclosed such that the case isreusable by a consumer after the vacuum-resealable bag containing thebedding set has been removed therefrom by the consumer. Additionally, aportion of the vacuum-resealable bag may be transparent such that one ormore contents of the vacuum-resealable bag are viewable there through,and at least a portion of the case may be transparent such that one ormore contents of the vacuum-resealable bag are further viewable therethrough, with the vacuum-resealable bag being arranged within the casesuch that the one or more contents of the vacuum-resealable bag areviewable through both the case and the vacuum-resealable bag by aprospective customer at retail sale. Furthermore, the product mayinclude an adhesive label that is attached to the case containing thevacuum-resealable, bag and that identifies the one or more textile softgoods contained in the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag; thecase may comprise a pocket that includes a transparent panel throughwhich contents of the pocket are viewable from an exterior of the case,and a rigid planar member comprising a card insert may be retainedwithin the pocket of the case that identifies the one or more textilesoft goods contained in the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag;or both. Moreover, the pocket may include opposing front and reartransparent panels whereby contents of the pocket are viewable throughboth the front and rear transparent panels.

In a feature, the case defines an interior containment space that ispractically entirely consumed by the vacuum-resealable bag containedtherein. The case may include opposed transparent panels, and corners ofthe transparent panels include non-transparent components that cover thecorners of the vacuum-resealable bag and that reinforce the case andcontribute to the hoop strength of the case.

In another aspect of the invention, a consumer textile soft goodsproduct for retail sale includes a vacuum-sealable bag, one or moretextile soft goods located within the interior space of thevacuum-sealable bag, and printed media physically associated with thevacuum-resealable bag, for viewing by a consumer at retail sale, thatidentifies the one or more textile soft goods contained in the interiorspace of the vacuum-resealable bag. The vacuum-resealable bag has airimpermeable walls defining an interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag;a one-way valve assembly configured to permit air to be evacuatedthrough the one-way valve assembly from the interior space of thevacuum-sealable bag but to preclude air from entering the interior spaceof the vacuum sealable bag through the one-way valve assembly; and aclosure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bagin an airtight manner. The vacuum-sealable bag is configured to maintaina vacuum condition within the interior space when the closure mechanismseals the mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag and air is evacuated throughthe one-way valve assembly from the interior space defined by thevacuum-sealable bag. The one or more textile soft goods located withinthe interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag are maintained in acompressed condition resulting from a pressure differential existingbetween a pressure in the interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag anda pressure exterior to the vacuum-sealable bag.

In a feature, the printed media comprises an adhesive label that isattached to the vacuum-sealable bag. The retail packaging of the textilesoft goods product for retail sale may comprise the vacuum-sealable bag.

In a feature, the consumer textile soft goods product for retail salefurther includes retail packaging defining an interior space in whichthe vacuums-sealable bag containing the textile soft goods is contained.

In a feature, the consumer textile soft goods product for retail salefurther includes retail packaging comprising an outer bag in which thevacuum-sealable bag containing the textile soft goods is contained.

In a feature, the consumer textile soft goods product for retail salefurther includes retail packaging comprising a case in which thevacuum-sealable bag containing the textile soft goods is contained, thecase configured to be opened and then reclosed such that the case isreusable by a consumer after the vacuum-sealable bag containing thebedding set has been removed therefrom by the consumer.

In another aspect, a consumer textile soft goods product for retail saleincludes the combination of an inner bag and retail packaging in whichthe inner bag itself is contained. The inner bag comprises avacuum-sealable bag having air impermeable walls defining an interiorspace of the vacuum-sealable bag; a one-way valve assembly configured topermit air to be evacuated through the one-way valve assembly from theinterior space of the vacuum-sealable bag but to preclude air fromentering the interior space of the vacuum sealable bag through theone-way valve assembly; and a closure mechanism configured to seal amouth of the vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner. Thevacuum-sealable bag is configured to maintain a vacuum condition withinthe interior space when the closure mechanism seals the mouth of thevacuum-sealable bag and air is evacuated through the one-way valveassembly from the interior space defined by the vacuum-sealable bag. Oneor more textile soft goods located within the interior space of thevacuum-sealable bag.

In a feature, the retail packaging comprises a case in which thevacuum-sealable bag containing the textile soft goods is contained,wherein a hoop strength of the case is sufficient to maintain thetextile soft goods in a compressed condition within the vacuum-sealablebag upon equalization of the pressure in the interior space of thevacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior to the vacuum-sealable bag.

In a feature, the consumer textile soft goods product for retail salefurther includes printed media identifying the one or more textile softgoods contained in the interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag, theprinted media being physically associated with the retail packaging forviewing by a consumer at retail sale. The printed media may comprise anadhesive label that is attached to the retail packaging.

In a feature, at least a portion of the vacuum-sealable bag istransparent such that one or more contents of the vacuum-sealable bagare viewable there through.

In a feature, the retail packaging comprises an outer bag.

In a feature, the retail packaging comprises a case that is configuredto be opened and then reclosed such that the case is reusable by aconsumer after the vacuum-sealable bag has been removed therefrom by theconsumer. The case may not include an airtight seal closing off theinterior containment space in which the vacuum-sealable bag iscontained.

Another aspect comprises a method of packaging a consumer textile softgoods product for retail sale. The method includes the step of providinga vacuum-resealable bag having air impermeable walls defining aninterior space of the vacuum-resealable bag; a one-way valve assemblyconfigured to permit air to be evacuated through the one-way valveassembly from the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag but topreclude air from entering the interior space of the vacuum sealable bagthrough the one-way valve assembly; and a closure mechanism configuredto seal a mouth of the vacuum-resealable bag in an airtight manner. Thevacuum-resealable bag is configured to maintain a vacuum conditionwithin the interior space when the closure mechanism seals the mouth ofthe vacuum-resealable bag and air is evacuated through the one-way valveassembly from the interior space defined by the vacuum-resealable bag,and the vacuum-resealable bag is further configured to be opened andthen reclosed such that the vacuum-resealable bag is reusable by aconsumer for vacuum-packing after the one or more textile soft goodshave been removed from the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag.The method also comprises the step of sealing one or more textile softgoods within the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag for retailsale to a consumer.

In a feature, said sealing comprises vacuum-sealing.

In a feature, the method further includes comprising maintaining the oneor more textile soft goods in a compressed condition within the interiorspace of the vacuum-resealable bag by creating a pressure differentialbetween a pressure in the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bagand a pressure exterior to the vacuum-resealable bag.

In a feature, the method further includes the step of identifying theone or more textile soft goods contained in the vacuum-resealable bag byphysically associating printed media with the vacuum-resealable bag.

In a feature, none of the textile soft goods within thevacuum-resealable bag are individually packaged.

In a feature, the method farther includes shipping the textile softgoods product to a wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or consumer.

In a feature, the method further includes locating the vacuum-resealablebag having the one or more textile soft goods components within aninterior space of retail packaging.

In a feature, the method further includes the steps of locating thevacuum-resealable bag having the one or more textile soft goods thereinwithin a case having a pocket, the pocket including a transparent panel;and locating a card insert within the pocket such that the card insertis viewable through the transparent panel from an exterior of the case,the card insert comprising printed media identifying the one or moretextile soft goods therein to a consumer at retail sale.

In a feature, the method further includes the step of compressing theone or more textile soft goods prior to said sealing the one or moretextile soft goods within the interior space of the vacuum-resealablebag for retail sale to a consumer.

The method further may include the step of maintaining the one or moretextile soft goods in a compressed condition within the interior spaceof the vacuum-resealable bag by creating a pressure differential betweena pressure within the vacuum-resealable bag and an exterior of thevacuum-resealable bag.

The method further may include the step of folding and arranging the oneor more textile soft goods within an interior space of thevacuum-resealable bag prior to said step (b) of sealing the one or moretextile soft goods within the interior space of the vacuum-resealablebag for retail sale to a consumer.

Another aspect of the invention comprises a method of packaging aconsumer textile soft goods product for retail sale. The method includesthe steps of: providing a vacuum-sealable bag; sealing one or moretextile soft goods within the interior space of the vacuum-sealable bagfor retail sale to a consumer; and physically associating with thevacuum-sealable bag, for viewing by a consumer at retail sale, printedmedia that identifies the one or more textile soft goods contained inthe interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag. The vacuum-sealable bagthat is provided has air impermeable walls defining an interior space ofthe vacuum-sealable bag; a one-way valve assembly configured to permitair to be evacuated through the one-way valve assembly from the interiorspace of the vacuum-sealable bag but to preclude air from entering theinterior space of the vacuum sealable bag through the one-way valveassembly; and a closure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of thevacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner. The vacuum-sealable bag isconfigured to maintain a vacuum condition within the interior space whenthe closure mechanism seals the mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag and airis evacuated through the one-way valve assembly from the interior spacedefined by the vacuum-sealable bag.

In a feature, the method further includes maintaining the one or moretextile soft goods in a compressed condition within the interior spaceof the vacuum-sealable bag by creating a pressure differential between apressure in the interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag and a pressureexterior to the vacuum-sealable bag.

In a feature, the printed media comprises an adhesive label that isapplied to the vacuum-sealable bag.

In a feature, the method further includes shipping the textile softgoods product to a wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or consumer.

In a feature, the method further includes locating the vacuum-sealablebag having the one or more textile soft goods components within aninterior space of retail packaging.

In a feature, the method further includes the steps of locating thevacuum-sealable bag having the one or more textile soft goods thereinwithin a case having a pocket, the pocket including a transparent panel;and locating a card insert within the pocket such that the card insertis viewable through the transparent panel from an exterior of the case,the card insert comprising the printed media identifying the one or moretextile soft goods therein to a consumer at retail sale.

In a feature, the method further includes the step of compressing theone or more textile soft goods prior to said sealing the one or moretextile soft goods within the interior space of the vacuum-sealable bagfor retail sale to a consumer.

In a feature, the method further includes the step of maintaining theone or more textile soft goods in a compressed condition within theinterior space of the vacuum-sealable bag by creating a pressuredifferential between a pressure within the vacuum-sealable bag and anexterior of the vacuum-sealable bag.

In a feature, the method further includes the step of folding andarranging the one or more textile soft goods within an interior space ofthe vacuum-resealable bag prior to said sealing the one or more textilesoft goods within the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag forretail sale to a consumer.

Another aspect of the invention comprises a method of packaging aconsumer textile soft goods product for retail sale. The method includesthe step of providing a vacuum-sealable bag having air impermeable wallsdefining an interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag; a one-way valveassembly configured to permit air to be evacuated through the one-wayvalve assembly from the interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag but topreclude air from entering the interior space of the vacuum sealable bagthrough the one-way valve assembly; and a closure mechanism configuredto seal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner.Moreover, the vacuum-sealable bag is configured to maintain a vacuumcondition within the interior space when the closure mechanism seals themouth of the vacuum-sealable bag and air is evacuated through theone-way valve assembly from the interior space defined by thevacuum-sealable bag. The method further includes the steps of sealingone or more textile soft goods within the interior space of thevacuum-sealable bag for retail sale to a consumer; and locating thevacuum-sealable bag within retail packaging for retail sale to aconsumer.

In a feature, the method further includes physically associating withthe retail packaging, for viewing by a consumer at retail sale, printedmedia that identifies the one or more textile soft goods contained inthe vacuum-sealable bag, wherein the printed media comprises an adhesivelabel that is applied to the retail packaging.

Another aspect of the invention relates to consumer retail packagingcomprising a compression packaged (e.g., vacuum-packaged) bedding set.In this respect, a textile soft goods product for retail sale to aconsumer includes a vacuum-sealable bag and a plurality of individualbedding components constituting a bedding set. The vacuum-sealable baghas a one-way valve assembly whereby air may be evacuated from, and keptfrom reentering, an interior space defined by the vacuum-sealable bag.The textile soft goods are folded and arranged together within theinterior space of the vacuum-sealable bag and are maintained in acompressed condition resulting from a pressure differential existingbetween a pressure in the interior space and a pressure exterior to thebag. Preferably none of the bedding components are individuallypackaged. The mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag, when fully open, isconfigured for insertion and withdrawal of the textile soft goods.Printed media physically associated with the vacuum-sealable bagidentifies the textile soft goods as being a bedding set.

Another aspect of the invention relates to consumer retail packaginghaving a vacuum-resealable bag containing a bedding set. In thisrespect, a consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale includesretail packaging, e.g., a case, which contains a reusablevacuum-sealable bag. The reusable vacuum-sealable bag, in turn, containsbedding components folded, arranged, and maintained in a compressedcondition resulting from a pressure differential. The bag includes aone-way valve assembly and an airtight closure mechanism. The retailpackaging includes a transparent pocket retaining a card insert havingprinted media identifying the bedding set components. Preferably, theretail packaging itself does not include an airtight seal closing offthe interior containment space in which the bag is contained, and a hoopstrength of the retail packaging is sufficient to maintain the textilesoft goods in a compressed condition within the bag upon loss of thepressure differential. The retail packaging and bag preferably includetransparent portions whereby one or more bedding components are viewableby a prospective customer at retail sale.

An aspect of the invention relates to an outer consumer retail bagcombined with a reusable vacuum-sealable inner bag containing a beddingset. In this respect, a textile soft goods product for retail saleincludes the combination of an inner bag containing textile soft goodsand an outer bag in which the inner bag itself is contained. The innerbag is a vacuum-sealable bag having a one-way valve assembly in a bagwall thereof. Air that is evacuated from an interior space of thevacuum-sealable bag is prevented, by the one-way valve assembly, fromreentering the bag. The vacuum-sealable bag further includes a closuremechanism configured to seal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag in anairtight manner. The outer bag defines an interior containment space inwhich the inner bag is contained. The interior containment space may bepractically entirely consumed by the inner bag. The textile soft goodspreferably include bedding components constituting a bedding set. Thetextile soft goods are maintained in a compressed condition as a resultof a pressure differential.

An aspect of the invention relates to packaging consumer textile softgoods comprising a vacuum-packaged bedding set. In this respect, amethod of packaging a consumer textile soft goods product for retailsale includes the steps of: compressing a plurality of individualbedding components constituting a bedding set and maintaining thecompressed textile soft goods in a compressed condition within aninterior space of a vacuum-sealable bag by creating a pressuredifferential between a pressure in the interior space of thevacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior to the vacuum-sealable bag;and identifying the contents of the vacuum-sealable bag as being abedding set by physically associating printed media with thevacuum-sealable bag having the plurality of individual beddingcomponents compressed therein. The vacuum-sealable bag includes aone-way valve assembly for evacuating air and a closure mechanismconfigured to seal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag in an airtightmanner. The vacuum-sealable bag preferably is reusable by the consumerafter the bedding components have been removed.

An aspect of the invention relates to combining consumer retailpackaging with vacuum-resealable bag containing a bedding set. In thisrespect, a method of packaging a textile soft goods product for retailsale includes the steps of: compressing textile soft goods comprising aplurality of individual bedding components constituting a bedding set;maintaining the bedding components in a compressed condition within avacuum-sealable bag by maintaining a pressure differential between apressure in the interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag and a pressureexterior to the vacuum-sealable bag; and locating the vacuum-sealablebag, itself having the plurality of individual bedding componentscollectively vacuum-packaged therein, within retail packaging thatidentifies the textile soft goods contained in the vacuum-sealable bagas being a bedding set. The textile soft goods preferably are folded andarranged together within the vacuum-sealable bag with none of thebedding components being individually packaged. The vacuum-sealable bagpreferably includes a one-way valve assembly and a closure mechanismconfigured to seal the vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner.

An aspect of the invention relates to combining an outer consumer retailbag with reusable inner vacuum-sealable bag containing a bedding set. Inthis respect, a method of packaging a textile soft goods product forretail sale includes the steps of: arranging textile soft goods withinan interior space of a vacuum-sealable bag; containing thevacuum-sealable bag within an outer bag; and identifying the textilesoft goods contained in the inner vacuum-sealable bag as being a beddingset by physically associating printed media with the outer bag. Thevacuum-sealable bag preferably is reusable and includes pliable and airimpermeable walls; a one-way valve assembly in one of the walls forevacuating air through the one-way valve assembly from the interiorspace defined by the vacuum-sealable bag such that the evacuated air iskept from reentering the vacuum-sealable bag through the one-way valveassembly; and a closure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of thevacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner. The textile soft goods may becompressed before vacuum-sealing, and may be compressed as a result ofthe vacuum-sealing.

An aspect of the invention relates to a shipping package of bedding setseach set contained in a vacuum-sealable bag for retail sale. In thisrespect, a shipping package of bedding sets includes a plurality oftextile soft goods products for retail sale. Each product includes: avacuum-sealable bag having a one-way valve assembly and a reusableclosure mechanism; textile soft goods comprising a plurality ofindividual bedding components constituting a bedding set for aparticular size of bed; and retail packaging in which thevacuum-sealable bag containing the bedding set is itself contained. Theretail packaging of each product is substantially the same size andvolume as the retail packaging of each other product, but at least oneof the bedding sets of the products is for a particular size of bed thatis different than that of at least one of the other products. Eachrespective retail packaging includes printed media that identifies thebedding set contained in the vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding setfor a particular size of bed.

An aspect of the invention relates to a retail display of bedding setseach set contained in reusable vacuum-sealable bag of a retailpackaging. In this respect, a display of bedding sets for retail saleincludes a plurality of textile soft goods products, each including: avacuum-sealable bag; textile soft goods including a plurality ofindividual bedding components constituting a bedding set for aparticular size of bed, the textile soft goods being maintained in acompressed condition resulting from a pressure differential existingbetween a pressure in the interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag anda pressure exterior to the vacuum-sealable bag; and retail packaging inwhich the vacuum-sealable bag containing the bedding set is itselfcontained, the retail packaging including printed media that identifiesthe bedding set contained in the vacuum-sealable bag as being a beddingset. The retail packaging of each product is displayed on a shelf of aretail store, and each takes up the same amount of shelf spaceregardless of the particular size of bed of each product.

An aspect of the invention relates to shipping bedding sets for retailsale each contained in a reusable vacuum-sealable bag of retailpackaging. In this respect, a method of shipping bedding sets for retailsale includes making textile soft goods products for retail salecomprising, for each product: compression-packing individual beddingcomponents constituting a bedding set for a particular size of bedwithin an interior space of a vacuum-sealable bag; maintaining thebedding components in a compressed condition by maintaining a pressuredifferential, wherein the vacuum-sealable bag includes a one-way valveassembly and a reusable closure mechanism; locating the vacuum-sealablebag within retail packaging; and identifying the bedding components asbeing a bedding set for the particular size of bed by physicallyassociating printed media with the retail packaging. The method includespacking the products in a shipping container such that they collectivelyconsume the entire interior containment space of the shipping container.Each product has substantially the same dimensions, but the bed sizes ofat least some of the bedding sets differ.

An aspect of the invention relates to retail product packaging includinga vacuum-resealable bag in an environmentally friendly consumer retailsystem. In this respect, an environmentally friendly system in whichproduct packaging is reused post purchase by consumers includes makingtextile soft goods products for retail sale by, for each product:locating textile soft goods within an interior space of avacuum-resealable bag; locating the vacuum-resealable bag within retailpackaging; and identifying the textile soft goods contained in thevacuum-resealable bag by physically associating printed media with theretail packaging. The system further includes advertising, as a sellingpoint to consumers, the reusability of the vacuum-resealable bags byconsumers post retail purchase.

Further in this respect, an environmentally friendly system in whichproduct packaging is reused post purchase by consumers includespurchasing textile soft goods products, each including textile softgoods compression-packaged within a reusable vacuum-resealable bag;removing the textile soft goods from the vacuum-resealable bags for use;and reusing, by the consumers, the vacuum-resealable bags byvacuum-packing items therein. The vacuum-resealable bags may be used byconsumers for vacuum-packing for storage the same or different textilesoft goods, including storage during transport.

Still further in this respect, an environmentally friendly system inwhich product packaging is reused post purchase by consumers includespackaging textile soft goods products for retail sale including, foreach product, the steps of: locating the textile soft goods within aninterior space of a vacuum-resealable bag; locating thevacuum-resealable bag within retail packaging; and identifying thetextile soft goods contained in the vacuum-resealable bag by physicallyassociating printed media with the retail packaging. The system furtherincludes individually displaying, to consumers, the products for retailsale by setting out the products on store shelves; removing, by theconsumers, the vacuum-resealable bags from the respective retailpackaging and removing the textile soft goods thereof from therespective vacuum-resealable bags; and reusing, by the consumers, thevacuum-resealable bags by vacuum-packing items therein.

Additional aspects of the invention relate to a textile soft goodproduct for retail sale in which the textile soft goods are beddingcomponents that are vacuum packed within a reusable vacuum-sealable bagand, more particularly, bedding components that constitute a beddingset. Aspects of the invention further relate to systems and methods inwhich textile soft goods (e.g., bedding components constituting abedding set) are compression-packed in reusable vacuum-sealable bags forretail sale.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a textile soft goods productfor retail sale. An exemplary such product includes a vacuum-sealablebag having a one-way valve assembly in a bag wall thereof for evacuatingair from an interior space defined by the vacuum-sealable bag, whereinthe one-way valve assembly is configured to receive a vacuum source,whereby the air within the interior space may be evacuated using thevacuum source, and configured to prevent air from re-entering the bagupon disengagement of the vacuum source, and having a closure mechanismconfigured to seal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag in an airtightmanner.

Furthermore, in this aspect of the invention, the product includestextile soft goods comprising a plurality of individual and compressiblebedding components constituting a bedding set, wherein the textile softgoods are folded and arranged together within the interior space of thevacuum-sealable bag and are maintained in a compressed conditionresulting from a pressure differential existing between a pressure inthe interior space of the bag and a pressure exterior to the bag,wherein none of the bedding components are individually packaged, andwherein the mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag when fully open isconfigured for insertion of the textile soft goods into the interiorspace of the vacuum-sealable bag and configured for withdrawal of thetextile soft goods from the interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag.

Still yet in this aspect, the product includes printed media identifyingthe textile soft goods contained in the vacuum-sealable bag as being abedding set, the printed media being physically associated with thevacuum-sealable bag.

In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the vacuum-sealable bag isconfigured to be opened and then reclosed such that the vacuum-sealablebag is reusable for vacuum-packing using a vacuum source after thebedding set has been removed therefrom. In another feature, the vacuumsource comprises a home vacuum cleaner appliance. In still anotherfeature, the printed media further identifies the reusability of thevacuum-sealable bag.

In a further feature of this aspect of the invention, the printed mediaconstitutes a bar code identifying the textile soft goods product forretail sale. In another feature, the printed media includes anidentification of a size of bedding components of the bedding set. Inanother feature still, the vacuum source comprises a home vacuum cleanerappliance. In a further feature still, at least one of the beddingcomponents is nested within a fold of another one of the beddingcomponents. In another feature, the printed media advertises the textilesoft goods contained in the vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set.In still another feature, the printed media itemizes the textile softgoods contained in the vacuum-sealable bag. In yet a further feature,the vacuum-sealable bag comprises walls formed from film having athickness of eight (8) millimeters. In an additional feature, thevacuum-sealable bag comprises pliable and air impermeable walls. Instill another feature, the vacuum-sealable bag comprises walls formedfrom bi-axial layers of polyethylene and nylon. In a further feature,the bedding components comprise a comforter, a bedskirt, two pillowshams, a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases. In yet afurther feature, at least a portion of the vacuum-sealable bag istransparent such that the contents of the vacuum-sealable bag areviewable therethrough.

In another feature of this aspect of the invention, the product includesa case in which the vacuum-sealable bag containing the textile softgoods is contained. In yet another feature, the case is configured to beopened and then reclosed such that the case is reusable after thevacuum-sealable bag containing the bedding set has been removedtherefrom. In another feature still, the vacuum-sealable bag isconfigured to be opened and then reclosed such that the vacuum-sealablebag is reusable after the bedding set has been removed therefrom. Instill another feature, the printed media further identifies thereusability of the vacuum-sealable bag. In another feature, the casecomprises a carrying handle configured for transporting the case byhand. In still another feature, the case includes a generallyrectangular profile with rounded corners. In yet another feature, thecase comprises a closure mechanism by which the case is transitionedbetween an opened state and a closed state. In a further feature, theclosure mechanism of the case comprises a zipper mechanism. In a furtherfeature still, the closure mechanism of the case extends around threesides of the case and wherein the fourth side of the case comprises ahinge. Still in another feature, the printed media comprises an adhesivelabel that is attached to the case containing the vacuum-sealable bag.

In yet a further feature of this aspect of the invention, the casecomprises a pocket, the pocket including a transparent panel throughwhich contents of the pocket are viewable from an exterior of the case.In another feature the printed media comprises a rigid planar memberthat is retained within the pocket of the case. In another feature, therigid planar member comprises a card insert. In further features, thecase comprises a pocket, the pocket including opposing front and reartransparent panels through which contents of the pocket are viewable. Instill more features, the printed media comprises a rigid planar memberthat is retained within the pocket of the case. In still furtherfeatures, the case comprises a lid, the lid includes a pocket with theprinted media retained therein, and the printed media is viewable froman exterior of the pocket. In yet another feature, the case defines aninterior containment space that is entirely consumed by thevacuum-sealable bag contained therein. In a further feature still, thecase does not include an airtight seal closing off the interiorcontainment space in which the vacuum-sealable bag is contained. Inanother feature, a hoop strength of the case is sufficient to maintainthe textile soft goods in the compressed condition within thevacuum-sealable bag upon equalization of the pressure in the interiorspace of the vacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior to the bag.

In still another feature of this aspect of the invention, at least aportion of the vacuum-sealable bag is transparent such that the contentsof the vacuum-sealable bag are viewable therethrough, and at least aportion of the case is transparent such that the contents of thevacuum-sealable bag are further viewable therethrough. In anotherfeature, both the vacuum-sealable bag and the case include corners, andwherein the corners of the vacuum-sealable bag are not viewable throughthe case. In a further feature, the case comprises opposed transparentpanels including corners, and wherein the corners of the transparentpanels include non-transparent components that cover the corners of thevacuum-sealable bag and that reinforce the case and contribute to thehoop strength of the case. In a further feature still, thevacuum-sealable bag and the case are configured such that at least aportion of one of the textile soft goods is viewable from an exterior ofthe case through both a transparent portion of the case and atransparent portion of the vacuum-sealable bag.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a textile soft goods productfor retail sale. An exemplary such product includes a vacuum-sealablebag having a one-way valve assembly in a bag wall thereof for evacuatingair from an interior space defined by the vacuum-sealable bag, whereinthe one-way valve assembly is configured to receive a vacuum source,whereby the air within the interior space may be evacuated using thevacuum source, and is configured to prevent air from re-entering the bagupon disengagement of the vacuum source. The vacuum-sealable bag furtherhaving a closure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of thevacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner

Furthermore, in this aspect of the invention, the product includestextile soft goods including a plurality of individual and compressiblebedding components constituting a bedding set, wherein the textile softgoods are maintained in a compressed condition within thevacuum-sealable bag as a result of a pressure differential existingbetween a pressure in the interior space of the bag and a pressureexterior to the bag, and wherein the mouth of the vacuum-sealable bagwhen fully open is configured for insertion of the textile soft goodsinto the interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag and configured forwithdrawal of the textile soft goods from the interior space of thevacuum-sealable bag.

Still yet in this aspect, the product includes a case in which thevacuum-sealable bag containing the textile soft goods is itselfcontained, wherein the case includes printed media that identifies thetextile soft goods contained in the vacuum-sealable bag as being abedding set.

In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the case comprises acarrying handle configured for transporting the case having thevacuum-sealable bag contained therein by hand. In another feature, thecase includes a bar code identifying the textile soft goods product forretail sale. In a further feature, the printed media of the caseincludes a bar code identifying the textile soft goods product forretail sale. In yet another feature, the printed media of the caseadvertises the textile soft goods contained in the vacuum-sealable bagas being a bedding set. In a further feature still, the printed media ofthe case itemizes the textile soft goods contained in thevacuum-sealable bag.

In another feature of this aspect of the invention, the beddingcomponents contained within the vacuum-sealable bag comprise acomforter, a bedskirt, two pillow shams, a fitted sheet, a flat sheet,and two pillowcases. In yet another feature, the printed media comprisesa card insert which is retained within the pocket of the case. In otherfeatures the case comprises a lid, the lid including the pocket withinwhich the card insert is retained, whereby a rear side of the cardinsert is not viewable from an exterior of the case when the lid isclosed but is viewable when the lid is open, and a hoop strength of thecase is sufficient to maintain the textile soft goods in the compressedcondition within the vacuum-sealable bag upon equalization of thepressure in the interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag and a pressureexterior to the vacuum-sealable bag.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a textile goods product forretail sale. An exemplary such product includes the combination of aninner bag containing textile soft goods and an outer bag in which theinner bag itself is combined. The inner bag includes a vacuum-sealablebag (i) having a one-way valve assembly in a bag wall thereof forevacuating air from an interior space defined by the vacuum-sealablebag, wherein the one-way valve assembly is (A) configured to receive avacuum source, whereby the air within the interior space may beevacuated using the vacuum source, and (B) configured to prevent airfrom re-entering the bag upon disengagement of the vacuum source, and(ii) having a closure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of thevacuum-sealable bag in an airtight maimer. The outer bag defines aninterior containment space that is entirely consumed by the inner bagcontained therein. The textile soft goods comprise a plurality ofindividual and compressible bedding components constituting a beddingset, the textile soft goods being maintained in a compressed conditionwithin the inner bag as a result of a pressure differential existingbetween a pressure in the interior space of the inner bag and anexterior pressure.

In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the exterior pressure is apressure exterior to the outer bag. Alternatively, in another feature,the exterior pressure is a pressure exterior to the inner bag. Inanother feature, the outer bag is configured to be opened and thenreclosed such that the outer bag is reusable after the inner bagcontaining the bedding set has been removed therefrom. In yet anotherfeature, the inner bag is configured to be opened and then reclosed suchthat the inner bag is reusable for vacuum-packing after the bedding sethas been removed therefrom. In a further feature, the printed mediafurther identities the reusability of the inner bag. In still a furtherfeature, the outer bag includes printed media that constitutes a barcode identifying the textile soft goods product for retail sale. In afurther feature still, the outer bag comprises a carrying handleconfigured for transporting the textile soft goods product by hand. Instill another feature, the outer bag comprises a case having a generallyrectangular profile with rounded corners.

In another feature of this aspect of the invention, the outer bagincludes printed media that identifies the textile soft goods containedin the vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set. In yet anotherfeature, a card insert is retained within the pocket of the case. In afurther feature, the case comprises a lid, the lid including the pocketwithin which the card insert is retained, whereby a rear side of thecard insert is not viewable when the lid is closed but is viewable whenthe lid is open.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of making a textilesoft goods product for retail sale. An exemplary such method includesthe steps of compressing textile soft goods including a plurality ofindividual and compressible bedding components constituting a beddingset within an interior space of a vacuum-sealable bag and maintainingthe compressed textile soft goods in a compressed condition within thevacuum-sealable bag by maintaining a pressure differential between apressure in the interior space of the bag and a pressure exterior to thebag, and identifying the textile soft goods contained in thevacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set by physically associatingprinted media with the vacuum-sealable bag having the plurality ofindividual and compressible bedding components compressed therein. Sucha vacuum-sealable bag includes a one-way valve assembly in a bag wallthereof for evacuating air from an interior space defined by thevacuum-sealable bag, the one-way valve assembly being (A) configured toreceive a vacuum source, whereby the air within the interior space maybe evacuated using the vacuum source, and (B) configured to prevent airfrom re-entering the bag upon disengagement of the vacuum source, andincludes a closure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of thevacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner.

In a feature of this aspect of the invention, a volume of space consumedcollectively by the compressible bedding components is reduced by atleast about 75% as a result of said compressing. In other features, themethod further includes shipping the textile soft goods product to awholesaler, retailer, distributor, or consumer. In a further feature,the vacuum-sealable bag is configured to be opened and then reclosedsuch that the vacuum-sealable bag is reusable by the consumer forvacuum-packing after the bedding set has been removed therefrom. In yetanother feature, the method includes locating the vacuum-sealable baghaving the plurality of individual and compressible bedding componentscompressed therein within a case. In a further feature, thevacuum-sealable bag and the case are configured such that at least aportion of one of the textile soft goods within the vacuum-sealable bagis viewable from an exterior of the case through both a transparentportion of the case and a transparent portion of the vacuum-sealablebag.

In another feature of this aspect of the invention, the case includesprinted media that constitutes a bar code identifying the textile softgoods product for retail sale. In yet another feature, the case includesprinted media that advertises the textile soft goods contained in thevacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set. In a further feature still,the case includes printed media that itemizes the textile soft goodscontained in the vacuum-sealable bag. In yet one more feature, the casecomprises a lid, the lid including the pocket within which the cardinsert is retained, whereby a rear side of the card insert is notviewable from an exterior of the case when the lid is closed, but isviewable when the lid is open.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of making a textilesoft goods product for retail sale. An exemplary such method includespackaging textile soft goods comprising a plurality of individual andcompressible bedding components constituting a bedding set, wherein thetextile soft goods are folded and arranged together within an interiorspace of a vacuum-sealable bag with none of the bedding components beingindividually packaged; maintaining the compressible bedding componentsin a compressed condition within the vacuum-sealable bag by maintaininga pressure differential between a pressure in the interior space of thebag and a pressure exterior to the bag, wherein the a vacuum-sealablebag (i) includes a one-way valve assembly in a bag wall thereof forevacuating air from an interior space defined by the vacuum-sealablebag, the one-way valve assembly being (A) configured to receive a vacuumsource, whereby the air within the interior space may be evacuated usingthe vacuum source, and (B) configured to prevent air from re-enteringthe bag upon disengagement of the vacuum source, and (ii) includes aclosure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bagin an airtight manner; and identifying the textile soft goods containedin the vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set by physicallyassociating printed media with the vacuum-sealable bag having theplurality of individual and compressible bedding components packedtherein.

In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the printed mediacomprises a bar code identifying the textile soft goods product forretail sale. In another feature of this aspect of the invention, themethod includes locating the vacuum-sealable bag having the plurality ofindividual and compressible bedding components vacuum-packed thereinwithin a case. In another feature, the case is configured to be openedand then reclosed such that the case is reusable for containing an itemafter the vacuum-sealable bag has been removed therefrom. In yet anotherfeature, the case comprises a lid, the lid including the pocket with theprinted media retained therein.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of making a textilesoft goods product for retail sale. An exemplary such method includesfolding and arranging textile soft goods within an interior space of avacuum-sealable bag (i) having a one-way valve assembly in a bag wallthereof for evacuating air from an interior space defined by thevacuum-sealable bag, wherein the one-way valve assembly is (A)configured to receive a vacuum source, whereby the air within theinterior space may be evacuated using the vacuum source, and (B)configured to prevent air from re-entering the bag upon disengagement ofthe vacuum source, and (ii) having a closure mechanism configured toseal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner;containing the vacuum-sealable bag within an outer bag, the outer bagdefining an interior containment space that is entirely consumed by thevacuum-sealable bag; and identifying the textile soft goods contained inthe vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set by physically associatingprinted media with the outer bag.

In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the textile soft goodsinclude a plurality of individual and compressible bedding componentsconstituting a bedding set. In another feature, the method includescompression-packing the textile soft goods within the vacuum-sealablebag. In yet another feature, the method includes maintaining the textilesoft goods in a compressed condition within the vacuum-sealable bag as aresult of a pressure differential existing between a pressure in theinterior space of the vacuum-sealable bag and an exterior pressure. Inanother feature, the exterior pressure comprises a pressure exterior tothe outer bag. In yet another feature, the exterior pressure comprises apressure exterior to the vacuum-sealable bag. In still another feature,the printed media of the outer bag advertises the textile soft goodscontained in the vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set. In anotherfeature, the printed media of the outer bag itemizes the textile softgoods contained in the vacuum-sealable bag. In still another feature,the printed media comprises an adhesive label that is attached to theouter bag containing the vacuum-sealable bag. In still a furtherfeature, the outer bag comprises a pocket, the pocket including atransparent panel through which contents of the pocket are viewable froman exterior of the outer bag. In another feature, the printed mediacomprises a card insert which is retained within the pocket of the outerbag.

In another feature of this aspect of the invention, the outer bagcomprises a pocket, the pocket including opposing front and reartransparent panels through which contents of the pocket are viewable. Inanother feature, the printed media comprises a card insert which isretained within the pocket of the outer bag. In still another feature,the outer bag comprises a lid, the lid including the pocket within whichthe card insert is retained, whereby a rear side of the card insert isnot viewable from an exterior of the outer bag when the lid is closedbut is viewable when the lid is open. In another feature, the outer bagdefines an interior containment space that is entirely consumed by thevacuum-sealable bag contained therein. Still in another feature, theouter bag does not include an airtight seal closing off the interiorcontainment space in which the vacuum-sealable bag is contained. In yetone more feature, a hoop strength of the outer bag is sufficient tomaintain the textile soft goods in the compressed condition uponequalization of the pressure in the interior space of thevacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior to the bag. In anotherfeature still, at least a portion of the vacuum-sealable bag istransparent such that the contents of the vacuum-sealable bag areviewable therethrough, and at least a portion of the outer bag istransparent such that the contents of the vacuum-sealable bag arefurther viewable therethrough. In another feature, the vacuum-sealablebag and the outer bag are configured such that at least a portion of oneof the textile soft goods within the vacuum-sealable bag is viewablefrom an exterior of the outer bag through both a transparent portion ofthe outer bag and a transparent portion of the vacuum-sealable bag. Instill another feature, both the vacuum-sealable bag and the outer baginclude corners, and wherein the corners of the vacuum-sealable bag arenot viewable through the outer bag. In one more feature, the outer bagcomprises opposed transparent panels including corners, and wherein thecorners of the transparent panels include non-transparent componentsthat cover the corners of the vacuum-sealable bag and that reinforce theouter bag and contribute to the hoop strength of the outer bag.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a shipping package of beddingsets. An exemplary such shipping package includes a first textile softgoods product for retail sale comprising, a first vacuum-sealable bag(A) having a one-way valve assembly in a bag wall thereof for evacuatingair from an interior space defined by the first vacuum-sealable bag,wherein the one-way valve assembly is (I) configured to receive a vacuumsource, whereby the air within the interior space may be evacuated usingthe vacuum source, and (II) configured to prevent air from re-enteringthe bag upon disengagement of the vacuum source, and (B) having aclosure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of the firstvacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, a plurality of individual andcompressible bedding components constituting a first bedding set for afirst particular size of bed, the bedding components being maintained ina compressed condition within the first vacuum-sealable bag as a resultof a first pressure differential existing between a first pressure inthe interior space of the bag and a pressure exterior to the firstvacuum-sealable bag, the first vacuum-sealable bag defining an interiorcontainment space that is entirely consumed by the bedding componentscompressed therein, and a first case in which the first vacuum-sealablebag containing the first bedding set is itself contained, the first casedefining an interior containment space that is entirely consumed by thefirst vacuum-sealable bag contained therein, the first case furtherincluding printed media that identifies the bedding set contained in thefirst vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set. The package furtherincludes a second textile soft goods product for retail sale comprising,a second vacuum-sealable bag (A) having a one-way valve assembly in abag wall thereof for evacuating air from an interior space defined bythe second vacuum-sealable bag, wherein the one-way valve assembly is(I) configured to receive a vacuum source, whereby the air within theinterior space may be evacuated using the vacuum source, and (II)configured to prevent air from re-entering the bag upon disengagement ofthe vacuum source, and (B) having a closure mechanism configured to seala mouth of the second vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, aplurality of individual and compressible bedding components constitutinga second bedding set for a second particular size of bed, the beddingcomponents being maintained in a compressed condition within the secondvacuum-sealable bag as a result of a second pressure differentialexisting between a second pressure in the interior space of the bag andthe pressure exterior to the second vacuum-sealable bag, the secondvacuum-sealable bag defining an interior containment space that isentirely consumed by the bedding components compressed therein, and asecond case in which the second vacuum-sealable bag containing thesecond bedding set is itself contained, the second case defining aninterior containment space that is entirely consumed by the secondvacuum-sealable bag contained therein, the second case further includingprinted media that identifies the bedding set contained in the secondvacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set. The package further includesa third textile soft goods product for retail sale comprising, a thirdvacuum-sealable bag (A) having a one-way valve assembly in a bag wallthereof for evacuating air from an interior space defined by the thirdvacuum-sealable bag, wherein the one-way valve assembly is (I)configured to receive a vacuum source, whereby the air within theinterior space may be evacuated using the vacuum source, and (II)configured to prevent air from re-entering the bag upon disengagement ofthe vacuum source, and (B) having a closure mechanism configured to seala mouth of the third vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, aplurality of individual and compressible bedding components constitutinga third bedding set for a third particular size of bed, the beddingcomponents being maintained in a compressed condition within the thirdvacuum-sealable bag as a result of a third pressure differentialexisting between a third pressure in the interior space of the bag andthe pressure exterior to the third vacuum-sealable bag, the thirdvacuum-sealable bag defining an interior containment space that isentirely consumed by the bedding components compressed therein, and athird case in which the third vacuum-sealable bag containing the thirdbedding set is itself contained, the third case defining an interiorcontainment space that is entirely consumed by the third vacuum-sealablebag contained therein, the third case further including printed mediathat identifies the bedding set contained in the third vacuum-sealablebag as being a bedding set. The package further includes a fourthtextile soft goods product for retail sale comprising, a fourthvacuum-sealable bag (A) having a one-way valve assembly in a bag wallthereof for evacuating air from an interior space defined by the fourthvacuum-sealable bag, wherein the one-way valve assembly is (I)configured to receive a vacuum source, whereby the air within theinterior space may be evacuated using the vacuum source, and (II)configured to prevent air from re-entering the bag upon disengagement ofthe vacuum source, and (B) having a closure mechanism configured to seala mouth of the fourth vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, aplurality of individual and compressible bedding components constitutinga fourth bedding set for a fourth particular size of bed, the beddingcomponents being maintained in a compressed condition within the fourthvacuum-sealable bag as a result of a fourth pressure differentialexisting between a fourth pressure in the interior space of the bag andthe pressure exterior to the fourth vacuum-sealable bag, the fourthvacuum-sealable bag defining an interior containment space that isentirely consumed by the bedding components compressed therein, and afourth case in which the fourth vacuum-sealable bag containing thefourth bedding set is itself contained, the fourth case defining aninterior containment space that is entirely consumed by the fourthvacuum-sealable bag contained therein, the fourth case further includingprinted media that identifies the bedding set contained in the fourthvacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set. The interior containmentspace of each of the first, second, third and fourth cases issubstantially the same as the other cases, but wherein at least one ofthe first, second, third and fourth particular sizes of bedsrespectively corresponding to the bedding sets differs from at leastanother of the first, second, third and fourth particular sizes of beds.

In a feature of this aspect of the invention the first, second, thirdand fourth cases each have the same volume and footprint. In anotherfeature, the first, second, third and fourth cases are identical in sizeto each other. In a further feature, the first particular size of bed isa size of a twin bed. In yet another feature, the second particular sizeof bed is a size of a double bed and the second differential pressure isgreater than the first differential pressure. In a further featurestill, the third particular size of bed is a size of a queen bed and thethird differential pressure is greater than the second differentialpressure. In yet another feature, the fourth particular size of bed is asize of a king bed and the fourth differential pressure is greater thanthe third differential pressure. In yet another feature, the shippingpackage is a box, and wherein the first, second, third and fourth casessubstantially consume the entire interior containment space of the box.In a further feature, the bedding components of the firstvacuum-sealable bag are in a less compressed condition than that of thebedding components of the second vacuum-sealable bag. In anotherfeature, the bedding components of the second vacuum-sealable bag are ina less compressed condition than that of the bedding components of thethird vacuum-sealable bag. In yet another feature, the beddingcomponents of the third vacuum-sealable bag are in a less compressedcondition than that of the bedding components of the fourthvacuum-sealable bag.

In another feature of this aspect of the invention, each respectivevacuum-sealable bag is configured to be opened and then reclosed suchthat the vacuum-sealable bag is reusable for vacuum-packing using avacuum source after the bedding set has been removed therefrom. Inanother feature, each respective case is configured to be opened andthen reclosed such that the case is reusable after the vacuum-sealablebag containing the bedding set has been removed therefrom. In a furtherfeature, the vacuum-sealable bag of each respective case is configuredto be opened and then reclosed such that the vacuum-sealable bag isreusable after the bedding set has been removed therefrom. In yet afurther feature, each respective case comprises a carrying handleconfigured for transporting the case having the vacuum-sealable bagcontained therein by hand. In a further feature still, each respectivecase includes a generally rectangular profile with rounded corners. Inyet a further feature, each respective case comprises a closuremechanism by which the case is transitioned between an opened state anda closed state. In yet another feature, the closure mechanism of eachrespective case comprises a zipper mechanism. In yet an additionalfeature, the closure mechanism of each respective case extends aroundthree sides of the case, and the fourth side of the case comprises ahinge.

In another feature of this aspect of the invention, each respective caseincludes a bar code identifying the shipping package of bedding sets. Inyet another feature, the printed media of each respective case includesa bar code identifying the shipping package of bedding sets. In yet afurther feature, the printed media of each respective case advertisesthe textile soft goods contained in the vacuum-sealable bag as being abedding set. In yet one more feature, the printed media of eachrespective case itemizes the textile soft goods contained in thevacuum-sealable bag. In an additional feature, the bedding componentscontained within each respective vacuum-sealable bag comprise acomforter, a bedskirt, two pillow shams, a fitted sheet, a flat sheet,and two pillowcases. In a further feature, the printed media comprisesan adhesive label that is attached to each respective case containingthe vacuum-sealable bag. In still another feature, each respectivevacuum-sealable bag comprises pliable and air impermeable walls. In oneadditional feature, respective case comprises a pocket, the pocketincluding a transparent panel through which contents of the pocket areviewable from an exterior of the case. In still another feature, eachrespective case comprises a pocket, the pocket including opposing frontand rear transparent panels through which contents of the pocket areviewable.

In another feature of this aspect of the invention, each respective casedoes not include an airtight seal closing off the interior containmentspace in which the vacuum-sealable bag is contained. In another feature,a hoop strength of each respective case is sufficient to maintain thetextile soft goods in the compressed condition within thevacuum-sealable bag upon equalization of the pressure in the interiorspace of the vacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior to the bag. Inyet another feature, at least a portion of each respectivevacuum-sealable bag is transparent such that the contents of thevacuum-sealable bag are viewable therethrough, and at least a portion ofeach respective case is transparent such that the contents of therespective vacuum-sealable bag are further viewable therethrough. In anadditional feature, each vacuum-sealable bag and each case areconfigured such that at least a portion of one of the textile soft goodswithin each vacuum-sealable bag is viewable from an exterior of therespective case the bag is contained in through both a transparentportion of the case and a transparent portion of the vacuum-sealablebag. In a further feature still, each vacuum-sealable bag and each caseinclude corners, and wherein the corners of each vacuum-sealable bag arenot viewable through the respective case the bag is contained in. Inanother feature, each case comprises opposed transparent panelsincluding corners, the corners of the transparent panels includingnon-transparent components that cover the corners of the respectivevacuum-sealable bag contained therein, the non-transparent componentsreinforcing the case and contributing to the hoop strength of the case.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a shipping package of beddingsets. An exemplary such package includes a plurality of textile softgoods products for retail sale, each comprising, a vacuum-sealable bag(A) having a one-way valve assembly in a bag wall thereof for evacuatingair from an interior space defined by the vacuum-sealable bag, whereinthe one-way valve assembly is (I) configured to receive a vacuum source,whereby the air within the interior space may be evacuated using thevacuum source, and (II) configured to prevent air from re-entering thebag upon disengagement of the vacuum source, and (B) having a closuremechanism configured to seal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag in anairtight manner, a plurality of individual and compressible beddingcomponents constituting a bedding set for a particular size of bed, thebedding components being maintained in a compressed condition within thevacuum-sealable bag as a result of a respective pressure differentialexisting between a pressure in the interior space of the bag and apressure exterior to the vacuum-sealable bag, the vacuum-sealable bagdefining an interior containment space that is entirely consumed by thebedding components compressed therein, and a case in which thevacuum-sealable bag containing the bedding set is itself contained, thecase defining an interior containment space that is entirely consumed bythe vacuum-sealable bag contained therein, the case further includingprinted media that identifies the bedding set contained in thevacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set. Each respective case of theplurality of textile soft goods products for retail sale issubstantially the same size and volume as each of the other cases of theplurality of textile soft goods products for retail sale, and whereinthe shipping package comprises a box defining an interior containmentspace, the interior containment space being entirely consumed by thecases of the plurality of textile soft goods products for retail sale,but wherein at least one of the bedding sets is for a particular size ofbed that is different than that of at least one of the other beddingsets.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a display of bedding sets forretail sale. An exemplary such display includes a first textile softgoods product for retail sale comprising, a first vacuum-sealable bag(A) having a one-way valve assembly in a bag wall thereof for evacuatingair from an interior space defined by the first vacuum-sealable bag,wherein the one-way valve assembly is (I) configured to receive a vacuumsource, whereby the air within the interior space may be evacuated usingthe vacuum source, and (II) configured to prevent air from re-enteringthe bag upon disengagement of the vacuum source, and (B) having aclosure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of the firstvacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, a plurality of individual andcompressible bedding components constituting a first bedding set for atwin size bed, the bedding components being maintained in a compressedcondition within the first vacuum-sealable bag as a result of firstpressure differential existing between a first pressure in the interiorspace of the bag and a pressure exterior to the first vacuum-sealablebag, the first vacuum-sealable bag defining an interior containmentspace that is entirely consumed by the bedding components compressedtherein, and a first case in which the first vacuum-sealable bagcontaining the first bedding set is itself contained, the first casedefining an interior containment space that is entirely consumed by thefirst vacuum-sealable bag contained therein, the first case furtherincluding printed media that identifies the bedding set contained in thefirst vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set for a twin size bed. Anexemplary such display further includes a second textile soft goodsproduct for retail sale comprising, a second vacuum-sealable bag (A)having a one-way valve assembly in a bag wall thereof for evacuating airfrom an interior space defined by the second vacuum-sealable bag,wherein the one-way valve assembly is (I) configured to receive a vacuumsource, whereby the air within the interior space may be evacuated usingthe vacuum source, and (II) configured to prevent air from re-enteringthe bag upon disengagement of the vacuum source, and (B) having aclosure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of the secondvacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, a plurality of individual andcompressible bedding components constituting a second bedding set for afull size bed, the bedding components being maintained in a compressedcondition within the second vacuum-sealable bag as a result of a secondpressure differential existing between a second pressure in the interiorspace of the bag and the pressure exterior to the second vacuum-sealablebag, the second vacuum-sealable bag defining an interior containmentspace that is entirely consumed by the bedding components compressedtherein, and a second case in which the second vacuum-sealable bagcontaining the second bedding set is itself contained, the second casedefining an interior containment space that is entirely consumed by thesecond vacuum-sealable bag contained therein, the second case furtherincluding printed media that identifies the bedding set contained in thesecond vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set for a full size bed.An exemplary such display further includes a third textile soft goodsproduct for retail sale comprising, a third vacuum-sealable bag (A)having a one-way valve assembly in a bag wall thereof for evacuating airfrom an interior space defined by the third vacuum-sealable bag, whereinthe one-way valve assembly is (I) configured to receive a vacuum source,whereby the air within the interior space may be evacuated using thevacuum source, and (II) configured to prevent air from re-entering thebag upon disengagement of the vacuum source, and (B) having a closuremechanism configured to seal a mouth of the third vacuum-sealable bag inan airtight manner, a plurality of individual and compressible beddingcomponents constituting a third bedding set for a queen size bed, thebedding components being maintained in a compressed condition within thethird vacuum-sealable bag as a result of a third pressure differentialexisting between a third pressure in the interior space of the bag andthe pressure exterior to the third vacuum-sealable bag, the thirdvacuum-sealable bag defining an interior containment space that isentirely consumed by the bedding components compressed therein, and athird case in which the third vacuum-sealable bag containing the thirdbedding set is itself contained, the third case defining an interiorcontainment space that is entirely consumed by the third vacuum-sealablebag contained therein, the third case further including printed mediathat identifies the bedding set contained in the third vacuum-sealablebag as being a bedding set for a queen size bed. An exemplary suchdisplay further includes a fourth textile soft goods product for retailsale comprising, a fourth vacuum-sealable bag (A) having a one-way valveassembly in a bag wall thereof for evacuating air from an interior spacedefined by the fourth vacuum-sealable bag, wherein the one-way valveassembly is (I) configured to receive a vacuum source, whereby the airwithin the interior space may be evacuated using the vacuum source, and(II) configured to prevent air from re-entering the bag upondisengagement of the vacuum source, and (B) having a closure mechanismconfigured to seal a mouth of the fourth vacuum-sealable bag in anairtight manner, a plurality of individual and compressible beddingcomponents constituting a fourth bedding set for a king size bed, thebedding components being maintained in a compressed condition within thefourth vacuum-sealable bag as a result of a fourth pressure differentialexisting between a fourth pressure in the interior space of the bag andthe pressure exterior to the fourth vacuum-sealable bag, the fourthvacuum-sealable bag defining an interior containment space that isentirely consumed by the bedding components compressed therein, and afourth case in which the fourth vacuum-sealable bag containing thefourth bedding set is itself contained, the fourth case defining aninterior containment space that is entirely consumed by the fourthvacuum-sealable bag contained therein, the fourth case further includingprinted media that identifies the bedding set contained in the fourthvacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set for a king size bed. Each ofthe first, second, third, and fourth cases is displayed on a shelf of aretail store and the physical dimensions of each of the first, second,third and fourth cases is substantially the same as each of the othercases.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a display of bedding sets forretail sale. An exemplary such display includes a plurality of textilesoft goods products for retail sale, each comprising, a vacuum-sealablebag (A) having a one-way valve assembly in a bag wall thereof forevacuating air from an interior space defined by the vacuum-sealablebag, wherein the one-way valve assembly is (I) configured to receive avacuum source, whereby the air within the interior space may beevacuated using the vacuum source, and (II) configured to prevent airfrom re-entering the bag upon disengagement of the vacuum source, and(B) having a closure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of thevacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, a plurality of individual andcompressible bedding components constituting a bedding set for aparticular size of bed, the bedding components being maintained in acompressed condition within the vacuum-sealable bag as a result of arespective pressure differential existing between a pressure in theinterior space of the bag and a pressure exterior to the vacuum-sealablebag, the vacuum-sealable bag defining an interior containment space thatis entirely consumed by the bedding components compressed therein, and acase in which the vacuum-sealable bag containing the bedding set isitself contained, the case defining an interior containment space thatis entirely consumed by the vacuum-sealable bag contained therein, thecase further including printed media that identifies the bedding setcontained in the vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set for theparticular size of bed. Each of the plurality of textile soft goodsproducts for retail sale is displayed on a shelf of a retail store. Eachrespective case of the plurality of textile soft goods products forretail sale is substantially the same size and volume as each of theother cases of the plurality of textile soft goods products for retailsale. At least one of the bedding sets is for a particular size of bedthat is different than that of at least one of the other bedding sets.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of shipping beddingsets for retail sale. An exemplary such method includes making a firsttextile soft goods product for retail sale comprising,compression-packing textile soft goods comprising a plurality ofindividual and compressible bedding components constituting a beddingset for a first particular size of bed, wherein the textile soft goodsare folded and arranged together within an interior space of a firstvacuum-sealable bag with none of the bedding components beingindividually packaged, maintaining the compressible bedding componentsin a compressed condition within the first vacuum-sealable bag bymaintaining a first pressure differential between a first pressure inthe interior space of the bag and a pressure exterior to the bag,wherein the first vacuum-sealable bag (A) includes a one-way valveassembly in a bag wall thereof for evacuating air from an interior spacedefined by the first vacuum-sealable bag, the one-way valve assemblybeing (I) configured to receive a vacuum source, whereby the air withinthe interior space may be evacuated using the vacuum source, and (II)configured to prevent air from re-entering the bag upon disengagement ofthe vacuum source, and (B) includes a closure mechanism configured toseal a mouth of the first vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner,locating the first vacuum-sealable bag having the plurality ofindividual and compressible bedding components collectively packagedtherein within a first case such that an interior containment spacedefined by the first case is entirely consumed by the firstvacuum-sealable bag, and identifying the textile soft goods contained inthe first vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set for the firstparticular size of bed by physically associating printed media with thefirst case.

The exemplary such method further includes making a second textile softgoods product for retail sale comprising, compression-packing textilesoft goods comprising a plurality of individual and compressible beddingcomponents constituting a bedding set for a second particular size ofbed, wherein the textile soft goods are folded and arranged togetherwithin an interior space of a second vacuum-sealable bag with none ofthe bedding components being individually packaged, maintaining thecompressible bedding components in a compressed condition within thesecond vacuum-sealable bag by maintaining a second pressure differentialbetween a second pressure in the interior space of the bag and apressure exterior to the bag, wherein the second vacuum-sealable bag (A)includes a one-way valve assembly in a bag wall thereof for evacuatingair from an interior space defined by the second vacuum-sealable bag,the one-way valve assembly being (I) configured to receive a vacuumsource, whereby the air within the interior space may be evacuated usingthe vacuum source, and (II) configured to prevent air from re-enteringthe bag upon disengagement of the vacuum source, and (B) includes aclosure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of the secondvacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, locating the secondvacuum-sealable bag having the plurality of individual and compressiblebedding components collectively packaged therein within a second casesuch that an interior containment space defined by the second case isentirely consumed by the second vacuum-sealable bag, and identifying thetextile soft goods contained in the second vacuum-sealable bag as beinga bedding set for the second particular size of bed by physicallyassociating printed media with the second case.

The exemplary such method farther includes making a third textile softgoods product for retail sale comprising, compression-packing textilesoft goods comprising a plurality of individual and compressible beddingcomponents constituting a bedding set for a third particular size ofbed, wherein the textile soft goods are folded and arranged togetherwithin an interior space of a third vacuum-sealable bag with none of thebedding components being individually packaged, maintaining thecompressible bedding components in a compressed condition within thethird vacuum-sealable bag by maintaining a third pressure differentialbetween a third pressure in the interior space of the bag and a pressureexterior to the bag, wherein the third vacuum-sealable bag (A) includesa one-way valve assembly in a bag wall thereof for evacuating air froman interior space defined by the third vacuum-sealable bag, the one-wayvalve assembly being (I) configured to receive a vacuum source, wherebythe air within the interior space may be evacuated using the vacuumsource, and (II) configured to prevent air from re-entering the bag upondisengagement of the vacuum source, and (B) includes a closure mechanismconfigured to seal a mouth of the third vacuum-sealable bag in anairtight manner, locating the third vacuum-sealable bag having theplurality of individual and compressible bedding components collectivelypackaged therein within a third case such that an interior containmentspace defined by the third case is entirely consumed by the thirdvacuum-sealable bag, and identifying the textile soft goods contained inthe third vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set for the thirdparticular size of bed by physically associating printed media with thethird case.

The exemplary such method further includes making a fourth textile softgoods product for retail sale comprising, compression-packing textilesoft goods comprising a plurality of individual and compressible beddingcomponents constituting a bedding set for a fourth particular size ofbed, wherein the textile soft goods are folded and arranged togetherwithin an interior space of a fourth vacuum-sealable bag with none ofthe bedding components being individually packaged, maintaining thecompressible bedding components in a compressed condition within thefourth vacuum-sealable bag by maintaining a fourth pressure differentialbetween a fourth pressure in the interior space of the bag and apressure exterior to the bag, wherein the fourth vacuum-sealable bag (A)includes a one-way valve assembly in a bag wall thereof for evacuatingair from an interior space defined by the fourth vacuum-sealable bag,the one-way valve assembly being (I) configured to receive a vacuumsource, whereby the air within the interior space may be evacuated usingthe vacuum source, and (II) configured to prevent air from re-enteringthe bag upon disengagement of the vacuum source, and (B) includes aclosure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of the fourthvacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, locating the fourthvacuum-sealable bag having the plurality of individual and compressiblebedding components collectively packaged therein within a fourth casesuch that an interior containment space defined by the fourth case isentirely consumed by the fourth vacuum-sealable bag, and identifying thetextile soft goods contained in the fourth vacuum-sealable bag as beinga bedding set for the fourth particular size of bed by physicallyassociating printed media with the fourth case.

The exemplary such method further includes packing the respective casesof the first, second, third and fourth textile soft goods products forretail sale in a shipping container such that the respective cases ofthe first, second, third and fourth textile soft goods product forretail sale collectively consume the entire interior containment spaceof the shipping container, wherein the interior containment space ofeach of the first, second, third and fourth cases is substantially thesame as the other cases, but wherein at least one of the first, second,third and fourth particular sizes of beds respectively corresponding tothe bedding sets differs from at least another of the first, second,third and fourth particular sizes of beds, and finally, shipping thepacked shipping container to a retailer, wholesaler, distributor orconsumer.

In a feature of this aspect of the invention, both each vacuum-sealablebag and each case include corners, and wherein the corners of eachrespective vacuum-sealable bag are not viewable through thecorresponding respective case. In another feature, each case comprisesopposed transparent panels including corners, and wherein the corners ofthe transparent panels include non-transparent components that cover thecorners of the respective vacuum-sealable bag and that reinforce thecase and contribute to the hoop strength of the case.

Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of shipping beddingsets for retail sale. An exemplary such method includes making aplurality of textile soft goods products for retail sale comprising, foreach textile soft goods product, the steps of, compression-packingtextile soft goods comprising a plurality of individual and compressiblebedding components constituting a bedding set for a particular size ofbed, wherein the textile soft goods are folded and arranged togetherwithin an interior space of a vacuum-sealable bag with none of thebedding components being individually packaged, maintaining thecompressible bedding components in a compressed condition within thevacuum-sealable bag by maintaining a pressure differential between apressure in the interior space of the bag and a pressure exterior to thebag, wherein the vacuum-sealable bag (A) includes a one-way valveassembly in a bag wall thereof for evacuating air from an interior spacedefined by the vacuum-sealable bag, the one-way valve assembly being (I)configured to receive a vacuum source, whereby the air within theinterior space may be evacuated using the vacuum source, and (II)configured to prevent air from re-entering the bag upon disengagement ofthe vacuum source, and (B) includes a closure mechanism configured toseal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, locatingthe vacuum-sealable bag having the plurality of individual andcompressible bedding components collectively packaged therein within acase such that an interior containment space defined by the case isentirely consumed by the vacuum-sealable bag, and identifying thetextile soft goods contained in the vacuum-sealable bag as being abedding set for the particular size of bed by physically associatingprinted media with the case. An exemplary such method further includespacking each respective case of the plurality in a shipping containersuch that the respective cases collectively consume the entire interiorcontainment space of the shipping container, wherein each respectivecase of the plurality of textile soft goods products for retail sale issubstantially the same size and volume as each of the other cases of theplurality of textile soft goods products for retail sale, but wherein atleast one of the bedding sets of the cases is for a particular size ofbed that is different than that of at least one of the other beddingsets of the cases. Finally, an exemplary such method includes shippingthe packed shipping container to a retailer, wholesaler, distributor orconsumer.

Another aspect of the invention relates to an environmentally friendlysystem in which product packaging is reused post purchase by consumers.An exemplary such system includes making textile soft goods products forretail sale comprising, for each textile soft goods product, the stepsof, locating textile soft goods within an interior space of avacuum-sealable bag (A) having a one-way valve assembly in a bag wallthereof for evacuating air from an interior space defined by thevacuum-sealable bag, wherein the one-way valve assembly is (I)configured to receive a vacuum source, whereby the air within theinterior space may be evacuated using the vacuum source, and (II)configured to prevent air from re-entering the bag upon disengagement ofthe vacuum source, and (B) having a closure mechanism configured to seala mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, locating thevacuum-sealable bag within an outer bag, and identifying the textilesoft goods contained in the vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding setby physically associating printed media with the outer bag. Thevacuum-sealable bag is configured to be opened and then reclosed suchthat the vacuum-sealable bag is reusable for vacuum-packing using avacuum source after the bedding set has been removed therefrom. Anexemplary such system farther includes advertising as a selling point toconsumers the reusability of the vacuum-sealable bags of the textilesoft goods products for retail sale.

A feature of this aspect of the invention includes a case. In anotherfeature, the case defines an interior containment space that is entirelyconsumed by the reusable vacuum-sealable bag. In yet another feature,the case includes a carrying handle configured for transporting the caseby hand. In yet a further feature, each bedding set is identified asincluding a comforter, a bedskirt, two pillow shams, a fitted sheet, aflat sheet, and two pillowcases.

Another aspect of this invention relates to an environmentally friendlysystem in which product packaging is reused post purchase by consumers.An exemplary such system includes purchasing bedding sets, eachvacuum-packaged within a reusable vacuum-sealable bag (i) having aone-way valve assembly in a bag wall thereof for evacuating air from aninterior space defined by the vacuum-sealable bag, wherein the one-wayvalve assembly is (A) configured to receive a vacuum source, whereby theair within the interior space may be evacuated using the vacuum source,and (B) configured to prevent air from re-entering the bag upondisengagement of the vacuum source, and (ii) having a closure mechanismconfigured to seal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag in an airtightmanner, removing the bedding sets from the vacuum-sealable bags for useon beds, and reusing by the consumers the vacuum-sealable bags byvacuum-packing compressible items therein for storage thereof.

In a feature of this aspect of the invention, the step of vacuum-packingcompressible items in the vacuum-sealable bags by the consumers isperformed by attaching vacuum cleaners of the consumers to the one-wayvalves of the vacuum-sealable bags. In another feature, thevacuum-sealable bags are each packaged within an outer bag at thepoint-of-purchase, the outer bag including printed media identifying thetextile soft goods contained in the vacuum-sealable bag as being abedding set. In yet another feature, each outer bag defines an interiorcontainment space that is entirely consumed by the reusablevacuum-sealable bag contained therein. In a further feature, each outerbag includes a carrying handle configured for transporting the case byhand. In yet another feature, each outer bag is a case that isconfigured to be opened and then reclosed such that the case is reusableafter the vacuum-sealable bag containing the bedding set has beenremoved from the case. In yet a further feature, each case comprises aclosure mechanism by which the case is transitioned between an openedstate and a closed state. In still another feature, the closuremechanism of each case comprises a zipper mechanism. In another featurestill, the closure mechanism of each case extends around three sides ofthe case and the fourth side of the case comprises a hinge. In still anadditional feature, the system further includes reusing the cases by theconsumers after removing the vacuum-sealable bags contained therein. Inanother feature, each bedding set comprises a comforter, a bedskirt, twopillow shams, a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases.

Another aspect of this invention relates to an environmentally friendlysystem in which product packaging is reused post purchase by consumers.An exemplary such system includes making, by a manufacturer, textilesoft goods comprising bedding sets for retail sale comprising, for eachbedding set, the steps of locating bedding components constituting therespective bedding set within an interior space of a vacuum-sealable bag(A) having a one-way valve assembly in a bag wall thereof for evacuatingair from an interior space defined by the vacuum-sealable bag, whereinthe one-way valve assembly is (I) configured to receive a vacuum source,whereby the air within the interior space may be evacuated using thevacuum source, and (II) configured to prevent air from re-entering thebag upon disengagement of the vacuum source, and (B) having a closuremechanism configured to seal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag in anairtight manner, locating the vacuum-sealable bag within an outer case,and identifying the textile soft goods contained in the vacuum-sealablebag as being a bedding set by physically associating printed media withthe outer case. The vacuum-sealable bag is configured to be opened andthen reclosed such that the vacuum-sealable bag is reusable forvacuum-packing using a vacuum source after the bedding set has beenremoved therefrom. An exemplary such system further includesindividually displaying, to consumers, the bedding sets for retail saleby setting out the outer cases on store shelves, removing, by theconsumers, the vacuum-sealable bags from the outer cases and removingthe bedding sets thereof from the vacuum-sealable bags for use on beds,and reusing by the consumers the vacuum-sealable bags by vacuum-packingcompressible items therein for storage thereof.

A feature of this aspect of the invention includes shipping the outercases to retailers for displaying. In another feature, said shippingincludes packing a plurality of outer cases within a shipping containersuch that an interior containment space of the shipping container isentirely consumed by the outer cases packed therein, wherein the outercases have the same size and footprint, wherein each outer case definesan interior containment space that is entirely consumed by thevacuum-sealable bag contained therein, and wherein at least one of theouter cases in a respective shipping container contains a bedding setthat is for a bed size that is different from a bed size of the anotherbedding set in at least one of the other outer cases in that shippingcontainer.

In another feature of this aspect of the invention, the outer cases areunpacked from the shipping container by retailers and placed on storeshelves without opening the outer cases. In another feature, each outercase includes a carrying handle configured for transporting the case byhand. In yet another feature, each outer case is a case that isconfigured to be opened and then reclosed such that the case is reusableafter the vacuum-sealable bag containing the bedding set has beenremoved from the case. In still another feature, each case comprises aclosure mechanism by which the case is transitioned between an openedstate and a closed state. In another feature still, the closuremechanism of each case comprises a zipper mechanism. In yet anotherfeature, the closure mechanism of each case extends around three sidesof the case and the fourth side of the case comprises a hinge. Anadditional feature includes reusing the cases by the consumers afterremoving the vacuum-sealable bags contained therein. In a furtherfeature, each bedding set comprises a comforter, a bedskirt, two pillowshams, a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases.

In another aspect, a consumer textile soft goods product for retail saleincludes: a vacuum-sealable bag having a one-way valve assemblyconfigured such that air, which is evacuated through the one-way valveassembly from an interior space defined by the vacuum-sealable bag, iskept from reentering the vacuum-sealable bag through the one-way valveassembly, and a closure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of thevacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner; textile soft goods comprisinga plurality of individual bedding components constituting a bedding set,wherein the textile soft goods are folded and arranged together withinthe interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag, and are maintained in acompressed condition resulting from a pressure differential existingbetween a pressure in the interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag anda pressure exterior to the vacuum-sealable bag, wherein none of thebedding components are individually packaged, and wherein the mouth ofthe vacuum-sealable bag when fully open is configured for insertion ofthe textile soft goods into the interior space of the vacuum-sealablebag, and is configured for withdrawal of the textile soft goods from theinterior space of the vacuum-sealable bag; and printed media identifyingthe textile soft goods contained in the vacuum-sealable bag as being abedding set, the printed media being physically associated with thevacuum-sealable bag. Preferably, the textile soft goods arevacuum-sealed within the vacuum-sealable bag, and a hoop strength of thecase is sufficient to maintain the textile soft goods in a compressedcondition within the vacuum-sealable bag upon equalization of thepressure in the interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag and a pressureexterior to the vacuum-sealable bag.

In a feature of this aspect, the vacuum-sealable bag is configured to beopened and then reclosed such that the vacuum-sealable bag is reusableby a consumer for vacuum-packing after the bedding set has been removedtherefrom. The one-way valve assembly is located in a wall of thevacuum-sealable bag and is configured to receive a nozzle of a vacuumcleaner hose, whereby the air within the interior space may be evacuatedusing a vacuum cleaner. Alternatively, the one-way valve assembly of thevacuum-sealable bag is configured to expel air from the interior spacethereof upon rolling up of the vacuum-sealable bag by a consumer forcreating a pressure differential between a pressure in the interiorspace of the bag and a pressure exterior to the bag.

In another feature of this aspect, the product further includes retailpackaging defining an interior space in which the vacuum-sealable bagcontaining the textile soft goods is contained. The retail packaging maybe a case, a box, or an outer bag.

In another aspect of the invention, a consumer textile soft goodsproduct for retail sale comprises: a vacuum-sealable bag having a me-wayvalve assembly configured such that air, which is evacuated through theone-way valve assembly from an interior space defined by thevacuum-sealable bag, is kept from reentering the vacuum-sealable bagthrough the one-way valve assembly, and a closure mechanism configuredto seal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner;textile soft goods comprising a plurality of individual beddingcomponents constituting a bedding set, wherein the textile soft goodsare folded and arranged together within the interior space of thevacuum-sealable bag, and are maintained in a compressed conditionresulting from a pressure differential existing between a pressure inthe interior space of the bag and a pressure exterior to the bag, andwherein the mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag when fully open isconfigured for insertion of the textile soft goods into the interiorspace of the vacuum-sealable bag, and is configured for withdrawal ofthe textile soft goods from the interior space of the vacuum-sealablebag; and retail packaging in which the vacuum-sealable bag containingthe textile soft goods is itself contained, the retail packagingincluding printed media that identifies the textile soft goods containedin the vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set.

In another aspect of the invention, a consumer textile soft goodsproduct for retail sale comprises: a vacuum-sealable bag having aone-way valve assembly configured such that air, which is evacuatedthrough the one-way valve assembly from an interior space defined by thevacuum-sealable bag, is kept from reentering the vacuum-sealable bagthrough the one-way valve assembly, and a closure mechanism configuredto seal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner,wherein the vacuum-sealable bag is configured to be opened and thenreclosed such that the vacuum-sealable bag is reusable forvacuum-packing by a consumer post retail sale; textile soft goodscomprising a plurality of individual bedding components constituting abedding set, wherein the textile soft goods are folded and arrangedtogether within the interior space of the reusable vacuum-sealable bag,and are maintained in a compressed condition resulting from a pressuredifferential existing between a pressure in the interior space of thebag and a pressure exterior to the bag, and wherein the mouth of thereusable vacuum-sealable bag when fully open is configured for insertionof the textile soft goods into the interior space of the reusablevacuum-sealable bag, and is configured for withdrawal of the textilesoft goods from the interior space of the reusable vacuum-sealable bag;and retail packaging in which the reusable vacuum-sealable bagcontaining the textile soft goods is itself contained, wherein theretail packaging does not include an airtight seal closing off theinterior containment space in which the reusable vacuum-sealable bag iscontained, and wherein a hoop strength of the retail packaging issufficient to maintain the textile soft goods in a compressed conditionwithin the reusable vacuum-sealable bag upon equalization of thepressure in the interior space of the reusable vacuum-sealable bag and apressure exterior to the reusable vacuum-sealable bag.

In another aspect of the invention, a consumer textile soft goodsproduct for retail sale, comprising: a vacuum-resealable bag having aone-way valve assembly configured such that air that is evacuatedthrough the one-way valve assembly from an interior space defined by thevacuum-resealable bag is kept from reentering the vacuum-resealable bagthrough the one-way valve assembly, and a closure mechanism configuredto seal a mouth of the vacuum-resealable bag in an airtight manner,wherein the vacuum-resealable bag is configured to be opened and thenreclosed such that the vacuum-resealable bag is reusable forvacuum-packing; textile soft goods comprising a plurality of individualbedding components constituting a bedding set, wherein the textile softgoods are arranged together within the interior space of thevacuum-resealable bag and are maintained in a compressed conditionresulting from a pressure differential existing between a pressure inthe interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag and a pressure exteriorto the vacuum-resealable bag, and wherein the mouth of thevacuum-resealable bag when fully open is configured for insertion of thetextile soft goods into the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bagand configured for withdrawal of the textile soft goods from theinterior space of the vacuum-resealable bag; and a case in which iscontained the vacuum-resealable bag containing the textile soft goods,wherein the case comprises a pocket, the pocket including a transparentpanel through which one or more contents of the pocket are viewable froman exterior of the case, wherein a rigid planar member comprising a cardinsert is retained within the pocket of the case and includes printedmedia identifying the textile soft goods contained in thevacuum-resealable bag as being a bedding set, wherein the case does notinclude an airtight seal closing off the interior containment space inwhich the vacuum-resealable bag is contained, and wherein a hoopstrength of the case is sufficient to maintain the textile soft goods ina compressed condition within the vacuum-resealable bag uponequalization of the pressure in the interior space of thevacuum-resealable bag and a pressure exterior to the vacuum-resealablebag; wherein at least a portion of the vacuum-resealable bag istransparent such that one or more contents of the vacuum-resealable bagare viewable there through, and at least a portion of the case istransparent such that the one or more contents of the vacuum-resealablebag are further viewable there through, the vacuum-resealable bag beingarranged within the case such that the one or more contents of thevacuum-resealable bag are viewable through both the case and thevacuum-resealable bag by a prospective customer at retail sale.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a consumertextile soft goods product for retail sale comprises the combination ofan inner bag containing textile soft goods and an outer bag in which theinner bag itself is contained. The inner bag comprises a vacuum-sealablebag having a one-way valve assembly in a bag wall thereof for evacuatingair from an interior space defined by the vacuum-sealable bag, theone-way valve assembly permitting air to be evacuated there through butpreventing air from reentering there through, and a closure mechanismconfigured to seal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag in an airtightmanner. The outer bag defines an interior containment space that ispractically entirely consumed by the inner bag contained therein. Thetextile soft goods comprise a plurality of individual bedding componentsconstituting a bedding set, the textile soft goods being maintained in acompressed condition within the inner bag as a result of a pressuredifferential existing between a pressure in the interior space of theinner bag and an exterior pressure.

In another aspect, a consumer textile soft goods product for retail salecomprises: an inner bag having a one-way valve assembly configured suchthat air, that is evacuated through the one-way valve assembly from aninterior space defined by the inner bag, is kept from reentering theinner bag through the one-way valve assembly, and a closure mechanismconfigured to seal a mouth of the inner bag in an airtight manner,wherein the inner bag is configured to be opened and then reclosed suchthat the inner bag is reusable by a consumer post retail sale forvacuum-packing. The product further comprises textile soft goodscomprising a plurality of individual bedding components, wherein thetextile soft goods are folded and arranged together within the interiorspace of the inner bag and are maintained in a compressed conditionresulting from a pressure differential existing between a pressure inthe interior space of the inner bag and a pressure exterior to the innerbag, and wherein the mouth of the inner bag when fully open isconfigured for insertion of the textile soft goods into the interiorspace of the inner bag and configured for withdrawal of the textile softgoods from the interior space of the inner bag. The product also furthercomprises an outer bag in which the inner bag containing the textilesoft goods is contained, wherein the outer bag does not include anairtight seal closing off the interior containment space in which theinner bag is contained, and wherein a hoop strength of the outer bag issufficient to maintain the textile soft goods in a compressed conditionwithin the inner bag upon equalization of the pressure in the interiorspace of the inner bag and a pressure exterior to the inner bag.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a method of packaging aconsumer textile soft goods product for retail sale includes the stepsof: compressing textile soft goods comprising a plurality of individualbedding components constituting a bedding set and maintaining thecompressed textile soft goods in a compressed condition within aninterior space of a vacuum-sealable bag by creating a pressuredifferential between a pressure in the interior space of thevacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior to the vacuum-sealable bag,wherein the vacuums-sealable bag includes a one-way valve assembly in abag wall thereof configured for evacuating air through the one-way valveassembly from the interior space defined by the vacuum-sealable bag suchthat the evacuated air is kept from reentering the vacuum-sealable bagthrough the one-way valve assembly, and a closure mechanism configuredto seal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner; andidentifying the textile soft goods contained in the vacuum-sealable bagas being a bedding set by physically associating printed media with thevacuum-sealable bag having the plurality of individual beddingcomponents compressed therein.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of packaging a textilesoft goods product for retail sale includes the steps of: compressing,by vacuum-packing, textile soft goods comprising a plurality ofindividual bedding components constituting a bedding set, wherein thetextile soft goods are folded and arranged together within an interiorspace of a vacuum-sealable bag with none of the bedding components beingindividually packaged; maintaining the bedding components in acompressed condition within the vacuum-sealable bag by maintaining apressure differential between a pressure in the interior space of thevacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior to the vacuum-sealable bag,wherein the vacuum-sealable bag includes a one-way valve assembly in abag wall thereof for evacuating air through the one-way valve assemblyfrom the interior space defined by the vacuum-sealable bag such that theevacuated air is kept from reentering the vacuum-sealable bag throughthe one-way valve assembly, and a closure mechanism configured to seal amouth of the vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner; and locating thevacuum-sealable bag, itself having the plurality of individual beddingcomponents contained therein, within retail packaging that identifiesthe textile soft goods contained in the vacuum-sealable bag as being abedding set.

In another aspect, a method of packaging a textile soft goods productfor retail sale includes the steps of: folding and arranging textilesoft goods within an interior space of a vacuum-sealable bag, whereinthe vacuum-sealable bag comprises pliable and air impermeable walls, aone-way valve assembly in one of the walls for evacuating air throughthe one-way valve assembly from the interior space defined by thevacuum-sealable bag such that the evacuated air is kept from reenteringthe vacuum-sealable bag through the one-way valve assembly, and aclosure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bagin an airtight manner; containing the vacuum-sealable bag within anouter bag, the outer bag defining an interior containment space that ispractically entirely consumed by the vacuum-sealable bag; andidentifying the textile soft goods contained in the innervacuum-sealable bag as being bedding components by physicallyassociating printed media with the outer bag.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of packaging a textilesoft goods product for retail sale includes the steps of: compressingthe textile soft goods; arranging the compressed textile soft goodswithin an interior space of a vacuum-sealable bag, wherein thevacuum-sealable bag comprises pliable and air impermeable walls, aone-way valve assembly in one of the walls for evacuating air throughthe one-way valve assembly from the interior space defined by thevacuum-sealable bag such that the evacuated air is kept from reenteringthe vacuum-sealable bag through the one-way valve assembly, and aclosure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bagin an airtight manner; vacuum-sealing the compressed textile soft goodswithin the interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag; containing thevacuum-sealable bag within an outer bag, the outer bag defining aninterior containment space that is practically entirely consumed by thevacuum-sealable bag; and identifying the textile soft goods contained inthe inner vacuum-sealable bag as being bedding components by physicallyassociating printed media with the outer bag.

In another aspect, a method of packaging a textile soft goods productfor retail sale includes the steps of: arranging textile soft goodswithin an interior space of a vacuum-sealable bag, wherein thevacuum-sealable bag comprises pliable and air impermeable walls, aone-way valve assembly in one of the walls for evacuating air throughthe one-way valve assembly from the interior space defined by thevacuum-sealable bag such that the evacuated air is kept from reenteringthe vacuum-sealable bag through the one-way valve assembly, and aclosure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bagin an airtight manner; vacuum-sealing the compressed textile soft goodswithin the interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag such that thetextile soft goods are compressed; containing the vacuum-sealable bagwithin an outer bag, the outer bag defining an interior containmentspace that is practically entirely consumed by the vacuum-sealable bag;and identifying the textile soft goods contained in the innervacuum-sealable bag as being bedding components by physicallyassociating printed media with the outer bag.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a shipping packageof bedding sets comprises: a first textile soft goods product for retailsale comprising a first vacuum-sealable bag having a one-way valveassembly configured such that air, which is evacuated through theone-way valve assembly from an interior space defined by the firstvacuum-sealable bag, is kept from reentering the first vacuum-sealablebag through the one-way valve assembly, and a closure mechanismconfigured to seal a mouth of the first vacuum-sealable bag in anairtight manner, textile soft goods comprising a plurality of individualbedding components constituting a first bedding set for a firstparticular size of bed, the textile soft goods being maintained in acompressed condition resulting from a first pressure differentialexisting between a first pressure in the interior space of the firstvacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior to the first vacuum-sealablebag, the first vacuum-sealable bag defining an interior containmentspace that is practically entirely consumed by the bedding componentsmaintained in a compressed condition therein, and first retail packagingin which the first vacuum-sealable bag containing the first bedding setis itself contained, the first retail packaging defining an interiorcontainment space that is practically entirely consumed by the firstvacuum-sealable bag contained therein, the first retail packagingfurther including printed media that identifies the bedding setcontained in the first vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set; asecond textile soft goods product for retail sale comprising a secondvacuum-sealable bag having a one-way valve assembly configured such thatair, which is evacuated through the one-way valve assembly from aninterior space defined by the second vacuum-sealable bag, is kept fromreentering the second vacuum-sealable bag through the one-way valveassembly, and a closure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of thesecond vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, textile soft goodscomprising a plurality of individual bedding components constituting asecond bedding set for a second particular size of bed, the textile softgoods being maintained in a compressed condition resulting from a secondpressure differential existing between a second pressure in the interiorspace of the second vacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior to thesecond vacuum-sealable bag, the second vacuum-sealable bag defining aninterior containment space that is practically entirely consumed by thebedding components maintained in a compressed condition therein, andsecond retail packaging in which the second vacuum-sealable bagcontaining the second bedding set is itself contained, the second retailpackaging defining an interior containment space that is practicallyentirely consumed by the second vacuum-sealable bag contained therein,the second retail packaging further including printed media thatidentifies the bedding set con in the second vacuum-sealable bag asbeing a bedding set; a third textile soft goods product for retail salecomprising a third vacuum-sealable bag having a one-way valve assemblyconfigured such that air, which is evacuated through the one-way valveassembly from an interior space defined by the third vacuum-sealablebag, is kept from reentering the third vacuum-sealable bag through theone-way valve assembly, and a closure mechanism configured to seal amouth of the third vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner textilesoft goods comprising a plurality of individual bedding componentsconstituting a third bedding set for a third particular size of bed, thetextile soft goods being maintained in a compressed condition resultingfrom a third pressure differential existing between a third pressure inthe interior space of the third vacuum-sealable bag and a pressureexterior to the third vacuum-sealable bag, the third vacuum-sealable bagdefining an interior containment space that is practically entirelyconsumed by the bedding components maintained in a compressed conditiontherein, and third retail packaging in which the third vacuum-sealablebag containing the third bedding set is itself contained, the thirdretail packaging defining an interior containment space that ispractically entirely consumed by the third vacuum-sealable bag containedtherein, the third retail packaging further including printed media thatidentifies the bedding set contained in the third vacuum-sealable bag asbeing a bedding set; and a fourth textile soft goods product for retailsale comprising a fourth vacuum-sealable bag having a one-way valveassembly configured such that air, which is evacuated through theone-way valve assembly from an interior space defined by the fourthvacuum-sealable bag, is kept from reentering the fourth vacuum-sealablebag through the one-way valve assembly, and a closure mechanismconfigured to seal a mouth of the fourth vacuum-sealable bag in anairtight manner, textile soft goods comprising a plurality of individualbedding components constituting a fourth bedding set for a fourthparticular size of bed, the textile soft goods being maintained in acompressed condition resulting from a fourth pressure differentialexisting between a fourth pressure in the interior space of the fourthvacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior to the fourthvacuum-sealable bag, the fourth vacuum-sealable bag defining an interiorcontainment space that is practically entirely consumed by the beddingcomponents maintained in a compressed condition therein, and fourthretail packaging in which the fourth vacuum-sealable bag containing thefourth bedding set is itself contained, the fourth retail packagingdefining an interior containment space that is practically entirelyconsumed by the fourth vacuum-sealable bag contained therein, the fourthretail packaging further including printed media that identifies thebedding set contained in the fourth vacuum-sealable bag as being abedding set. The interior containment space of the retail packaging ofeach of the textile soft goods products for retail sale is substantiallythe same, but wherein the size of the bedding set of one of the textilesoft goods products for retail sale differs from the size of the beddingset of another of the textile soft goods products for retail sale.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a shipping packageof bedding sets includes: a plurality of textile soft goods products forretail sale, each comprising a vacuum-sealable bag having a one-wayvalve assembly configured such that air, which is evacuated through theone-way valve assembly from an interior space defined by thevacuum-sealable bag, is kept from reentering the vacuum-sealable bagthrough the one-way valve assembly, and a reusable closure mechanismconfigured to seal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag in an airtightmanner, textile soft goods comprising a plurality of individual beddingcomponents constituting a bedding set for a particular size of bed, thetextile soft goods being maintained in a compressed condition resultingfrom a pressure differential existing between a pressure in the interiorspace of the vacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior to thevacuum-sealable bag, the vacuum-sealable bag defining an interiorcontainment space that is practically entirely consumed by the beddingcomponents maintained in a compressed condition therein, and retailpackaging in which the vacuum-sealable bag containing the bedding set isitself contained, the retail packaging defining an interior containmentspace that is practically entirely consumed by the vacuum-sealable bagcontained therein, the retail packaging further including printed mediathat identifies the bedding set contained in the vacuum-sealable bag asbeing a bedding set. Each respective retail packaging of the pluralityof textile soft goods products for retail sale is substantially the samesize and volume as each other respective retail packaging of theplurality of textile soft goods products for retail sale, and whereinthe shipping package comprises a box defining an interior containmentspace, the interior containment space being practically entirelyconsumed collectively by the retail packaging of each of the pluralityof textile soft goods products for retail sale, but wherein at least oneof the bedding sets is for a particular size of bed that is differentthan that of at least one of the other bedding sets.

In still yet another aspect of the invention, a shipping package ofbedding sets comprises: a plurality of textile soft goods products forretail sale, each comprising a vacuum-sealable bag having a one-wayvalve assembly configured such that air, which is evacuated through theone-way valve assembly from an interior space defined by thevacuum-sealable bag, is kept from reentering the vacuum-sealable bagthrough the one-way valve assembly, and a reusable closure mechanismconfigured to seal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag in an airtightmanner, wherein the vacuum-sealable bag is configured to be opened andthen reclosed such that the vacuum-sealable bag is reusable forvacuum-packing by a consumer after the bedding set has been removedtherefrom, textile soft goods comprising a plurality of individualbedding components constituting a bedding set for a particular size ofbed, the textile soft goods being maintained in a compressed conditionresulting from a pressure differential existing between a pressure inthe interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior tothe vacuum-sealable bag, the vacuum-sealable bag defining an interiorcontainment space that is practically entirely consumed by the beddingcomponents maintained in a compressed condition therein, and retailpackaging in which the vacuum-sealable bag containing the bedding set isitself contained, the retail packaging defining an interior containmentspace that is practically entirely consumed by the vacuum-sealable bagcontained therein, the retail packaging further including printed mediathat identifies the bedding set contained in the vacuum-sealable bag asbeing a bedding set and the reusability of the vacuum-sealable bagcontained therein; wherein each respective retail packaging of theplurality of textile soft goods products for retail sale issubstantially the same size and volume as each other respective retailpackaging of the plurality of textile soft goods products for retailsale, and wherein the shipping package comprises a box defining aninterior containment space, the interior containment space beingpractically entirely consumed collectively by the retail packaging ofeach of the plurality of textile soft goods products for retail sale,but wherein at least one of the bedding sets is for a particular size ofbed that is different than that of at least one of the other beddingsets.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a display of beddingsets for retail sale includes: a first textile soft goods product forretail sale comprising a first vacuum-sealable bag having a one-wayvalve assembly configured such that air, which is evacuated through theone-way assembly from an interior space defined by the firstvacuum-sealable bag, is kept from reentering the first vacuum-sealablebag through the one-way valve assembly, and a closure mechanismconfigured to seal a mouth of the first vacuum-sealable bag in anairtight manner, textile soft goods comprising a plurality of individualbedding components constituting a first bedding set for a firstparticular size of bed, the textile soft goods being maintained in acompressed condition resulting from a first pressure differentialexisting between a first pressure in the interior space of the firstvacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior to the first vacuum-sealablebag, the first vacuum-sealable bag defining an interior containmentspace that is practically entirely consumed by the bedding componentsmaintained in a compressed condition therein, and first retail packagingin which the first vacuum-sealable bag containing the first bedding setis itself contained, the first retail packaging defining an interiorcontainment space that is practically entirely consumed by the firstvacuum-sealable bag contained therein, the first retail packagingfurther including printed media that identifies the bedding setcontained in the first vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set; asecond textile soft goods product for retail sale comprising a secondvacuum-sealable bag having a one-way valve assembly configured such thatair, which is evacuated through the one-way valve assembly from aninterior space defined by the second vacuum-sealable bag, is kept fromreentering the second vacuum-sealable bag through the one-way valveassembly, and a closure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of thesecond vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, textile soft goodscomprising a plurality of individual bedding components constituting asecond bedding set for a second particular size of bed, the textile softgoods being maintained in a compressed condition resulting from a secondpressure differential existing between a second pressure in the interiorspace of the second vacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior to thesecond vacuum-sealable bag, the second vacuum-sealable bag defining aninterior containment space that is practically entirely consumed by thebedding components maintained in a compressed condition therein, andsecond retail packaging in which the second vacuum-sealable bagcontaining the second bedding set is itself contained, the second retailpackaging defining an interior containment space that is practicallyentirely consumed by the second vacuum-sealable bag contained therein,the second retail packaging further including printed media thatidentifies the bedding set contained in the second vacuum-sealable bagas being a bedding set; a third textile soft goods product for retailsale comprising a third vacuum-sealable bag having a one-way valveassembly configured such that air, which is evacuated through theone-way valve assembly from an interior space defined by the thirdvacuum-sealable bag, is kept from reentering the third vacuum-sealablebag through the one-way valve assembly, and a closure mechanismconfigured to seal a mouth of the third vacuum-sealable bag in anairtight manner, textile soft goods comprising a plurality of individualbedding components constituting a third bedding set for a thirdparticular size of bed, the textile soft goods being maintained in acompressed condition resulting from a third pressure differentialexisting between a third pressure in the interior space of the thirdvacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior to the third vacuum-sealablebag, the third vacuum-sealable bag defining an interior containmentspace that is practically entirely consumed by the bedding componentsmaintained in a compressed condition therein, and third retail packagingin which the third vacuum-sealable bag containing the third bedding setis itself contained, the third retail packaging defining an interiorcontainment space that is practically entirely consumed by the thirdvacuum-sealable bag contained therein, the third retail packagingfurther including printed media that identifies the bedding setcontained in the third vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set; and afourth textile soft goods product for retail sale comprising a fourthvacuum-sealable bag having a one-way valve assembly configured such thatair, which is evacuated through the one-way valve assembly from aninterior space defined by the fourth vacuum-sealable bag, is kept fromreentering the fourth vacuum-sealable bag through the one-way valveassembly, and a closure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of thefourth vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, textile soft goodscomprising a plurality of individual bedding components constituting afourth bedding set for a fourth particular size of bed, the textile softgoods being maintained in a compressed condition resulting from a fourthpressure differential existing between a fourth pressure in the interiorspace of the fourth vacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior to thefourth vacuum-sealable bag, the fourth vacuum-sealable bag defining aninterior containment space that is practically entirely consumed by thebedding components maintained in a compressed condition therein, andfourth retail packaging in which the fourth vacuum-sealable bagcontaining the fourth bedding set is itself contained, the fourth retailpackaging defining an interior containment space that is practicallyentirely consumed by the fourth vacuum-sealable bag contained therein,the fourth retail packaging further including printed media thatidentifies the bedding set contained in the fourth vacuum-sealable bagas being a bedding set. Each of the first retail packaging, the secondretail packaging, the third retail packaging, and the fourth retailpackaging is displayed on a shelf of a retail store; and the physicaldimensions of the first retail packaging are substantially the same asthe physical dimensions of each of the second retail packaging, thethird retail packaging, and the fourth retail packaging.

In accordance with another aspect, a display of bedding sets for retailsale comprises: a plurality of textile soft goods products for retailsale, each comprising a vacuum-sealable bag having a one-way valveassembly configured such that air, which is evacuated through theone-way valve assembly from an interior space defined by thevacuum-sealable bag, is kept from reentering the vacuum-sealable bagthrough the one-way valve assembly, and a closure mechanism configuredto seal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner,textile soft goods comprising a plurality of individual beddingcomponents constituting a bedding set for a particular size of bed, thetextile soft goods being maintained in a compressed condition resultingfrom a pressure differential existing between a pressure in the interiorspace of the vacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior to thevacuum-sealable bag, the vacuum-sealable bag defining an interiorcontainment space in which the bedding components are maintained in acompressed condition therein, and retail packaging in which thevacuum-sealable bag containing the bedding set is itself contained, theretail packaging including printed media that identifies the bedding setcontained in the vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set. The retailpackaging of each one of the products is displayed on a shelf of aretail store; the retail packaging of each one of the productssubstantially consumes the same amount of retail shelf space; and theretail packaging of at least one of the products identities a particularsize of bed that differs from a particular size of bed identified by theretail packaging of another one of the products.

In accordance with another aspect, a display of bedding sets for retailsale includes: a plurality of textile soft goods products for retailsale, each comprising a vacuum-sealable bag having a one-way valveassembly configured such that air, which is evacuated through theone-way valve assembly from an interior space defined by thevacuum-sealable bag, is kept from reentering the vacuum-sealable bagthrough the one-way valve assembly, and a closure mechanism configuredto seal a mouth of the vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner,wherein the vacuum-sealable bag is configured to be opened and thenreclosed such that the vacuum-sealable bag is reusable forvacuum-packing by a consumer after the bedding set has been removedtherefrom, textile soft goods comprising a plurality of individualbedding components constituting a bedding set for a particular size ofbed, the textile soft goods being maintained in a compressed conditionresulting from a pressure differential existing between a pressure inthe interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag and a pressure exterior tothe vacuum-sealable bag, the vacuum-sealable bag defining an interiorcontainment space that is practically entirely consumed by the beddingcomponents maintained in a compressed condition therein, and retailpackaging in which the vacuum-sealable bag containing the bedding set isitself contained, the retail packaging defining an interior containmentspace that is practically entirely consumed by the vacuum-sealable bagcontained therein, the retail packaging further including printed mediathat identifies the bedding set contained in the vacuum-sealable bag asbeing a bedding set and the reusability of the vacuum-sealable bagcontained therein. The retail packaging of each of the products isdisplayed on a shelf of a retail store; and the physical dimensions ofthe retail packaging of each of the products is substantially the same,but wherein at least one of the products includes a bedding set for aparticular size of bed that is different than the size of bed of thebedding set of another one of the products.

In another aspect, a method of shipping bedding sets for retail salecomprises the steps of: making a first textile soft goods product forretail sale comprising, vacuum-packing, within an interior space of afirst vacuum-sealable bag, textile soft goods comprising a plurality ofindividual bedding components constituting a bedding set for a firstparticular size of bed, maintaining the bedding components in acompressed condition within the first vacuum-sealable bag by maintaininga first pressure differential between a first pressure in the interiorspace of the bag and a pressure exterior to the bag, wherein the firstvacuum-sealable bag includes a one-way valve assembly configured suchthat air, which is evacuated through the one-way valve assembly from aninterior space defined by the first vacuum-sealable bag, is kept fromreentering the first vacuum-sealable bag through the one-way valveassembly, and a closure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of thefirst vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, locating the firstvacuum-sealable bag having the plurality of individual beddingcomponents collectively packaged therein within a first retail packagingsuch that an interior containment space defined by the first retailpackaging is practically entirely consumed by the first vacuum-sealablebag, and identifying the textile soft goods contained in the firstvacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set for the first particular sizeof bed by physically associating printed media with the first retailpackaging; making a second textile soft goods product for retail salecomprising vacuum-packing, within art interior space of a secondvacuum-sealable bag, textile soft goods comprising a plurality ofindividual bedding components constituting a bedding set for a secondparticular size of bed, maintaining the bedding components in acompressed condition within the second vacuum-sealable bag bymaintaining a second pressure differential between a second pressure inthe interior space of the bag and a pressure exterior to the bag,wherein the second vacuum-sealable bag includes a one-way valve assemblyconfigured such that air, which is evacuated through the one-way valveassembly from an interior space defined by the second vacuum-sealablebag, is kept from reentering the second vacuum-sealable bag through theone-way valve assembly, and a closure mechanism configured to seal amouth of the second vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, locatingthe second vacuum-sealable bag having the plurality of individualbedding components collectively packaged therein within a second retailpackaging such that an interior containment space defined by the secondretail packaging is practically entirely consumed by the secondvacuum-sealable bag, and identifying the textile soft goods contained inthe second vacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set for the secondparticular size of bed by physically associating printed media with thesecond retail packaging; making a third textile soft goods product forretail sale comprising vacuum-packing, within an interior space of athird vacuum-sealable bag, textile soft goods comprising a plurality ofindividual bedding components constituting a bedding set for a thirdparticular size of bed, maintaining the bedding components in acompressed condition within the third vacuum-sealable bag by maintaininga third pressure differential between a third pressure in the interiorspace of the bag and a pressure exterior to the bag, wherein the thirdvacuum-sealable bag includes a one-way valve assembly configured suchthat air, which is evacuated through the one-way valve assembly from aninterior space defined by the third vacuum-sealable bag, is kept fromreentering the third vacuum-sealable bag through the one-way valveassembly, and a closure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of thethird vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, locating the thirdvacuum-sealable bag having the plurality of individual beddingcomponents collectively packaged therein within a third retail packagingsuch that an interior containment space defined by the third retailpackaging is practically entirely consumed by the third vacuum-sealablebag, and identifying the textile soft goods contained in the thirdvacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set for the third particular sizeof bed by physically associating printed media with the third retailpackaging; making a fourth textile soft goods product for retail salecomprising vacuum-packing, within an interior space of a fourthvacuum-sealable bag, textile soft goods comprising a plurality ofindividual bedding components constituting a bedding set for a fourthparticular size of bed, maintaining the bedding components in acompressed condition within the fourth vacuum-sealable bag bymaintaining a fourth pressure differential between a fourth pressure inthe interior space of the bag and a pressure exterior to the bag,wherein the fourth vacuum-sealable bag includes a one-way valve assemblyconfigured such that air, which is evacuated through the one-way valveassembly from an interior space defined by the fourth vacuum-sealablebag, is kept from reentering the fourth vacuum-sealable bag through theone-way valve assembly, and a closure mechanism configured to seal amouth of the fourth vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, locatingthe fourth vacuum-sealable bag having the plurality of individualbedding components collectively packaged therein within a fourth retailpackaging such that an interior containment space defined by the fourthretail packaging is practically entirely consumed by the fourthvacuum-sealable bag, and identifying the textile soft goods contained inthe fourth vacuums-sealable bag as being a bedding set for the fourthparticular size of bed by physically associating printed media with thefourth retail packaging; and packing the respective first, second, thirdand fourth textile soft goods products for retail sale in a shippingcontainer such that the respective retail packaging of the textile softgoods products for retail sale collectively consume the entire interiorcontainment space of the shipping container, wherein the interiorcontainment space of the retail packaging of each textile soft goodsproduct for retail sale is substantially the same, but wherein at leastsome of the particular bed sizes differ from another one; and shippingthe packed shipping container to a retailer, wholesaler, distributor orconsumer.

In another aspect, a method of shipping bedding sets for retail salecomprises: making a plurality of textile soft goods products for retailsale comprising, for each textile soft goods product, the steps ofvacuum-packing textile soft goods comprising a plurality of individualbedding components constituting a bedding set for a particular size ofbed, wherein the textile soft goods are arranged together within aninterior space of a vacuum-sealable bag, maintaining the beddingcomponents in a compressed condition within the vacuum-sealable bag bymaintaining a pressure differential between a pressure in the interiorspace of the bag and a pressure exterior to the bag, wherein thevacuum-sealable bag includes a one-way valve assembly configured suchthat air, which is evacuated through the one-way valve assembly from aninterior space defined by the vacuum-sealable bag, is kept fromreentering the vacuum-sealable bag through the one-way valve assembly,and a reusable closure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of thevacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner, locating the vacuum-sealablebag having the plurality of individual bedding components collectivelypackaged therein within an interior containment space of retailpackaging, and identifying the textile soft goods contained in thevacuum-sealable bag as being a bedding set for the particular size ofbed by physically associating printed media with the retail packaging;packing each of the textile soft goods products in a shipping containersuch that the products collectively consume the entire interiorcontainment space of the shipping container, wherein the retailpackaging of each of the textile soft goods products for retail sale hassubstantially the same dimensions, but wherein at least one of thebedding sets of the products is for a particular bed size that isdifferent than at least one of the bedding sets of another one of theproducts; and shipping the packed shipping container to a retailer,wholesaler, distributor or consumer.

In accordance with another aspect, an environmentally friendly system inwhich product packaging is reused post purchase by consumers includes:packaging textile soft goods products for retail sale comprising, foreach textile soft goods product, the steps of, locating textile softgoods within an interior space of a vacuum-resealable bag, locating thevacuum-resealable bag within retail packaging, and identifying thetextile soft goods contained in the vacuum-resealable bag by physicallyassociating printed media with the retail packaging, wherein thevacuum-resealable bag is configured to be opened and then reclosed suchthat the vacuum-resealable bag is reusable for vacuum-packing by aconsumer after the textile soft goods have been removed therefrom postpurchase; and advertising as a selling point to consumers thereusability of the vacuum-resealable bags of the textile soft goodsproducts for retail sale.

In another aspect, an environmentally friendly system in which productpackaging is reused post purchase by consumers comprises: purchasingtextile soft goods products, each including textile soft goodscollectively packaged within a reusable vacuum-resealable bag; removingthe textile soft goods from the vacuum-resealable bags for use; andreusing, by the consumers, the vacuum-resealable bags by vacuum-packingitems therein.

In a still yet another aspect, an environmentally friendly system inwhich product packaging is reused post purchase by consumers, includes:packaging textile soft goods products for retail sale comprising, foreach product, the steps of locating the textile soft goods within aninterior space of a vacuum-resealable bag, locating thevacuum-resealable bag within retail packaging, and identifying thetextile soft goods contained in the vacuum-resealable bag by physicallyassociating printed media with the retail packaging; wherein thevacuum-resealable bag is configured to be opened and then reclosed suchthat the vacuum-resealable bag is reusable for vacuum-packing after thetextile soft goods have been removed therefrom; individually displaying,to consumers, the products for retail sale by setting out the productson store shelves; removing, by the consumers, the vacuum-resealable bagsfrom the respective retail packaging and removing the textile soft goodsthereof from the respective vacuum-resealable bags; and reusing, by theconsumers, the vacuum-resealable bags by vacuum-packing items therein.

In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the invention,it should be noted that the invention further encompasses the variouspossible combinations and subcombinations of such aspects and features,including those of any priority document incorporated herein byreference, including those of any priority document incorporated hereinby reference. Thus, for example, any aspect may be combined with anaforementioned feature in accordance with the invention withoutrequiring any other aspect or feature.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more preferred embodiments in accordance with one or more aspectsof the invention now will be described in detail with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1A-1D illustrate a known method of compressing a textile soft goodin a commercially available reusable vacuum-resealable bag.

FIG. 2 illustrates the use of a vacuum cleaner to evacuate air from acommercially available reusable vacuum-resealable bag.

FIG. 3 illustrates the positioning of a compressed reusablevacuum-resealable bag containing textile soft goods within a case ofpreferred embodiments in accordance with one or more aspects of theinvention.

FIG. 4 illustrates the storage case of FIG. 3 after a lid of the casehas been closed and a closure mechanism of the case has been engaged toretain the case in the closed position.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a case ofpreferred embodiments in accordance with one or more aspects of theinvention.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the case of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7A is a front perspective view of the case and FIG. 7B is a frontperspective view of another preferred embodiment of a case in accordancewith one or more aspects of the invention for comparison with that ofFIG. 7A.

FIG. 8 illustrates packaging systems, methods, and apparatus ofpreferred embodiments in accordance with one or more aspects of theinvention.

FIGS. 9A-9B are schematic illustrations of components of a case ofpreferred embodiments in accordance with one or more aspects of theinvention.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary card insert of preferred embodiments inaccordance with one or more aspects of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a case of preferred embodimentsin accordance with one or more aspects of the invention.

FIG. 12 is a front plan vied of the case of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a rear plan view of the case of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the case of FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is a side plan view of the case of FIG. 11.

FIGS. 16A-16C illustrates features of a case of preferred embodiments inaccordance with one or more aspects of the invention.

FIGS. 17-21 illustrate another case of preferred embodiments inaccordance with one or more aspects of the invention.

FIGS. 22-28 illustrate retail packaging comprising a box of preferredembodiments in accordance with one or more aspects of the invention.

FIGS. 29-31 illustrate retail packaging comprising another box ofpreferred embodiments in accordance with one or more aspects of theinvention.

FIG. 32 illustrates a system representative of one or more inventivebusiness models in accordance with one or more aspects of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one ordinaryskill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that many of the aspectsand features of the invention have broad utility and application.Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being“preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated forpracticing one or more aspects and features of the invention. Otherembodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposesin providing a full and enabling disclosure of aspects and features ofthe invention. As should be understood, any embodiment may incorporateonly one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects of the inventionand may further incorporate only one or a plurality of theabove-disclosed features. Moreover, many embodiments, such asadaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements,will be implicitly disclosed by the embodiments described herein and areconsidered to be within the disclosure of the many aspects and featuresof the invention.

Accordingly, while aspects and features of the invention are describedherein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to beunderstood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of suchaspects and features of the invention, and are made merely for thepurposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure. The detaileddisclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is tobe construed, to limit the scope of any patent protection, which scopeis to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is notintended that the scope of patent protection be defined by reading intoany claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear inthe claim itself. Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporalorder of steps of various processes or methods that are described hereinare illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should beunderstood that, although steps of various processes or methods may beshown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the stepsof any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out inany particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise.Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carriedout in various different sequences and orders within the scope of thedisclosure set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refersto that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to meanbased on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that themeaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisanbased on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from anyparticular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that themeaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan shouldprevail.

Regarding applicability of 35 U.S.C. §112, ¶6 in the United States, noclaim element is intended to be read in accordance with this statutoryprovision unless the explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” isactually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory provisionis intended to apply in the interpretation of such claim element.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an”each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a pluralityunless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “apicnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having atleast one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples.” Incontrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes“a picnic basket having only one apple.”

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one ofthe items,” but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus,reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “apicnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket havingcrackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese andcrackers.” Finally, when used herein to join a list of items, “and”denotes “all of the items of the list.” Thus, reference to “a picnicbasket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket havingcheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers,” as well asdescribes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basketfurther has cheese.”

Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments arenext described.

Starting with FIG. 3, a preferred consumer textile soft goods product 14for retail sale to a consumer is illustrated.

More specifically, a preferred vacuum-sealable bag 20 is shown on theleft in FIG. 3. The vacuum-sealable bag 20 preferably is reusable by aconsumer for vacuum-packing after contents therein that were sold withinthe bag at retail have been removed by the consumer. The vacuum-sealablebag 20 includes pliable and air impermeable walls with a one-way valveassembly 22 located in one of the walls. The one-way valve assembly 22is configured such that air, which is evacuated through the one-wayvalve assembly 22 from an interior space defined by the vacuum-sealablebag 20, is kept from reentering the vacuum-sealable bag 20 through theone-way valve assembly 22. The one-way valve assembly 22 also isconfigured to receive a nozzle of a vacuum cleaner hose, whereby the airwithin the interior space may be evacuated using a vacuum cleaner. Thevacuum-sealable bag further has a closure mechanism 26 configured toseal mouth 24 of the vacuum-sealable bag in an airtight manner.

In an alternative to the vacuum-sealable bag 20, a preferredvacuum-sealable bag may include, in lieu of the one-way air valvelocated in the bag wall and configured to receive a nozzle of a vacuumcleaner, a one-way air valve that is located with the closure mechanismand is configured to expel air from the interior space thereof uponrolling up of the vacuum-sealable bag by a consumer. Rolling up of thevacuum-sealable bag expels air from the interior space and creates apressure differential between a pressure in the interior space of thebag and a pressure exterior to the bag.

It is believed that commercially available vacuum-resealable bags may beused in accordance with one or more aspects of the invention accordingto the foregoing descriptions, and that such commercially availablevacuum-resealable bags include those currently sold under the SPACEBAGtrademark by Illinois Tool Works and/or its affiliates. Moreover, suchbags are disclosed or represented in the following patent references,each of which is incorporated herein by reference: U.S. Pat. No.6,814,491; U.S. Pat. No. 7,055,794; and U.S. Patent Appl. PublicationNo. 2008/0118190.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, one or more textile soft goods 25 are shownfolded and arranged within the vacuum-sealable bag 20. Such textile softgoods in some preferred embodiments comprise bedding components thatmake up or constitute a bedding set and include, for example, acomforter, a bedskirt, one or more pillow shams, a fitted sheet, a flatsheet, and one or more pillowcases. Some bedding components may benested within other bedding components. Preferably, none of the beddingcomponents are individually packaged, although in some variants one ormore of the bedding components may be separately packaged. For instance,a sheet set or any component thereof may be individually packaged. Themouth 24 of the vacuum-sealable bag 20, when fully open, is configuredfor insertion of the textile soft goods 25 into the interior space ofthe vacuum-sealable bag 20, and is configured for withdrawal of thetextile soft goods 25 from the interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag20.

With continuing reference to FIG. 3, following location of the one ormore textile soft goods 25 within the vacuum-sealable bag 20, the mouth24 of the vacuum-sealable bag 20 is sealed via engagement of the closuremechanism 26, and air is evacuated from the vacuum-sealable bag 20. Theair may be evacuated by application of a vacuum source via the one-wayvalve assembly 22. Currently, however, it is preferred that the air bemechanically expelled in an automated commercial process by compressingthe vacuum-sealable bag 20 with the one or more textile soft goods 25contained therein. Such mechanical compression could be provided, forexample, by a press or other industrial machine. Following suchmechanical compression, the release and initial expansion of the textilesoft goods 25 contained therein create a vacuum condition within thevacuum-sealable bag 20. Preferably, a combination of the hoop strengthof the vacuum-sealable bag 20 and the pressure differential created willestablish an equilibrium in which the expansion forces of the one ormore textile soft goods 25 is counteracted, whereby the textile softgoods 25 will be maintained in a compressed condition within thevacuum-sealable bag 20. It is believed that a volume of space consumedcollectively by textile soft goods constituting a bedding set can bereduced by at least about 75% as a result of such packaging.

Alternatively, the one or more textile soft goods 25 could bevacuum-sealed within the vacuum-sealable bag 20 (i.e., sealed within thebag 20 under a vacuum condition) in a vacuum chamber of an industrialmachine in an automated commercial process. Furthermore, such machinecould further include compression of the textile soft goods prior toevacuation of the air. In any event, regardless of how the packaging ofthe one or more textile soft goods within the bag is accomplished, it ispreferred that the vacuum-sealable bag already have been formed and thatthe one or more textile soft goods are inserted and arranged within thevacuum-sealable bag. However, it is contemplated that thevacuum-sealable bag itself could be formed during such packagingprocess. Additionally, it is contemplated that the one or more textilesoft goods themselves first could be compressed prior to insertionwithin the vacuum-sealable bag 20, or alternatively, inserted in anuncompressed condition.

A representative bag 21 following such compression having a reduced sizeand volume, with the one or more textile soft goods 25 maintainedtherein in a compressed condition, is also shown in FIG. 3. The bag 20is shown located within an interior space 32 of retail packaging, whichretail packaging in this illustration comprises a case 30. The case 30has a generally rectangular profile with rounded corners, and a frontface of the case 30 is connected to the rest of the case 30 along only aportion of a single side of the case 30, which serves as a hinge, and isdisconnected from the case 30 along each of the other three sides of thecase 30, thereby forming a lid 34, as illustrated in FIG. 3. The lid 34is capable of transitioning between an open position, in which the threedisconnected sides of the lid 34 are spaced from respective sides of thecase 30 as illustrated in FIG. 3, and a closed position, in which thethree disconnected sides of the lid 34 are secured by a closuremechanism 36 adjacent to respective sides of the case 30, as illustratedin FIG. 4. The closure mechanism 36 may or may not be similar to theclosure mechanism 26 of the vacuum-sealable bag 20. In the preferredembodiment described above, the closure mechanism 36 comprises a zipperassembly extending around the three disconnected sides of the case 30 ata front edge of the case 30. When the lid 34 is in the closed position,the zipper assembly can be used to transition the case 30 between anopen state and a closed state. FIG. 4 illustrates the case 30 in theclosed state. As will be appreciated, the case 30 preferably isconfigured to be opened and then reclosed such that the case 30 isreusable by a consumer after the vacuum-sealable bag 21 has been removedtherefrom by the consumer.

In at least some preferred embodiments in accordance with aspects of theinvention, the front face 30 comprises one or more transparent portions35 and may include, for example, portions formed from polyvinyl.Preferably, one or more portions of the vacuum-sealable bag 20 arecomprised of a transparent material, and the vacuum-sealable bag 20 andthe case 30 are configured such that one or more of the arrangedcontents of the vacuum-sealable bag 20 are viewable therethrough from anexterior of the case 30 when the case 30 is in its closed state. It willbe appreciated that this allows for a consumer to view a pattern of abedding component disposed within the vacuum-sealable bag 20 from anexterior of the case 30 when the one or more textile soft goods includebedding components.

In at least some preferred embodiments, the corners of the front faceare covered with an opaque material. Further, an outer perimeter of thefront face preferably includes quarter-inch piping. Additionally, thefront face preferably further includes a front non-woven loop handle 36,which comprises a continuous portion of non-woven material secured to anexterior of the front face 34 of the case 30. In at least some preferredembodiments, the front face further comprises a transparent pocket 37defined between two layers of transparent material, such as, forexample, polyvinyl, and open at the top for insertion of printedmaterial. Preferably, the transparent pocket 37 is defined by securementof a smaller planar section of plastic which corresponds to the size ofthe pocket 37 to a larger planar section of plastic which corresponds tothe size of the front face 34. The smaller section of plastic may besecured on an interior or exterior of the case 30. Preferably, theprinted material comprises a card insert 33 that identifies the textilesoft goods contained in the vacuum-sealable bag 21 as being a beddingset, and that further identifies the reusability of both thevacuum-sealable bag 21 and the case 30. The card insert also preferablyidentifies a size of the textile soft goods, such as, for example, thesize of a particular bed that a bedding set fits. The card insert isphysically associated with the vacuum-sealable bag 21 by its placementin the pocket 37 of the case 30 in which the vacuum-sealable bag 21 iscontained. A backside of the card insert 33, through which frontgraphics thereof are visible, is shown in FIG. 3 and illustrates thefact that the card insert 33 is visible through the interior side of thelid 34 when the case 30 is open. Alternatively, the card insert 33 maybe sufficiently thick that graphics on one side are not viewable onanother side, and different or the same information and graphics may bepresented on the opposite sides of the card insert. Another card insertrepresentative of the same information and graphics being presented onboth sides of the card insert is shown, for example, in FIG. 8, andanother exemplary card insert is shown in FIG. 10. In variants, theprinted media may comprise an adhesive label that is attached to thevacuum-sealable bag, to the case containing the vacuum-sealable bag, ora combination of both. The printed media further may comprises a barcode including the foregoing or similar information.

In at least some preferred embodiments, the case 30 is sized anddimensioned such that the interior space 32 is entirely consumed by thevacuum-sealable bag 21 contained therein. In this respect, the phrase“entirely consumed” as used herein is intended to indicate thatsubstantially all of the space is consumed, although it will beappreciated that it is likely that some nominal amount of space mayexist between one or more of the inner surfaces of the case 30 definingthe interior space 32 and one or more outer surfaces of thevacuum-sealable bag 21.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of another preferred case 500. Thecase 500 additionally includes a pocket flap 39 that is adjoined to thefront face between two straight portions of the front non-woven loophandle 41. The pocket flap 39 preferably extends over the quarter-inchpiping and lays generally flat against the pocket of the case 500. In atleast one preferred embodiment, the pocket flap 39 includes a custombranded button that secures the pocket flap to the exterior of the cardpocket. When the pocket flap 39 is secured, the pocket flap 39 coversthe opening of the pocket. The case also may include a logo tab 31, asillustrated for example in FIG. 5, indicative of the brand or themanufacturer of the textile soft goods product.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the case 500. The rear face of thecase 500 comprises a top portion 42 and a bottom portion 44, separatedby a lip 49 running horizontally across the rear face of the outer case.The top portion 42 is opaque and includes a rear non-woven loop handle47, similar to the front non-woven loop handle 41. Furthermore, thebottom portion 44 of the rear face includes a planar sheet of atransparent material such as polyvinyl which is secured to a mainsection of the bottom portion so as to define a rear pocket which isconfigured to receive and display printed media, as illustrated in FIG.6. Additionally, an outer perimeter of the rear face of the case 500 islined with quarter-inch piping, as shown in FIG. 6. Preferably, a sidewall extends between the front and rear faces of the case 500 on allfour sides of the case 500, separating the front face of the case 500from the rear face of the case 500. This sidewall is preferablyreinforced with non-woven card stock.

FIG. 7A is a front perspective view of the preferred case 500 forcomparison with the front perspective view of another preferred case 600shown in FIG. 7B. Case 600 represents a variation on case 500, wherein adistance between vertical sections of the front handles and the cornerportions of the front face differs as between the cases 500,600 (bestseen at areas 43 of case 500 and areas 45 of case 600).

FIG. 8 illustrates preferred apparatus representative of packagingsystems and methods in accordance with aspects and features of theinvention. More specifically, FIG. 8 illustrates at 800 the packaging offour consumer textile soft goods products within a single shippingcontainer comprising a shipping box 805 (the grouping 810 of the fourproducts is shown raised and extending from the box 805 for illustrationpurposes; additionally, grouping 810 is representative of grouping 800without the box 805). Each of the textile soft goods products includes areusable case having a reusable vacuum-resealable bag that, in turn,contains one or more textile soft goods constituting, in some preferredembodiments, a bedding set. A representative product is shown in theclosed state at 820, and in an open state at 830 with thevacuum-sealable bag also opened. The shipping box 805 may be shipped toa wholesaler, distributor, retailer, or consumer. Upon receipt, aretailer preferably displays the bedding set products for retail sale byremoving the products from the shipping box and arranging each producton a retail shelf such that each one substantially consumes the sameamount of retail shelf space, with the products identifying a particularsize of bed being arranged one behind the other in a horizontal column,and with each column for a different size of bed being arranged side byside.

Notably, although each of the four textile soft goods products has thesame dimensions, each holds a bedding set of a different size for adifferent size of bed in this preferred illustration, i.e., for a twinbed, for a double bed, for a queen bed, and for a king bed. In fact, insuch preferred embodiments, a single sized case and a single sizedvacuum-sealable bag are configured to receive and retain various sizedbedding sets, preferably by varying the amount of compression of thebedding set accordingly. It is anticipated that the greater thecompression required, the greater the pressure differential will bebetween the pressure in the interior space of a vacuum-sealable bag anda pressure exterior thereto.

For example, and in further regard to this point, in an exemplaryimplementation the first case contains a bedding set for a king sizebed, the second case contains a bedding set for a queen size bed, thethird case contains a bedding set for a full size bed, and the fourthcase contains a bedding set for a twin sized bed. This is accomplishedby varying a level of compression of each of the vacuum-sealable bags.Preferably, the vacuum-sealable bag containing the king-sized beddingset is sealed at a first level of compression resulting in a firstpressure differential; the vacuum-sealable bag containing thequeen-sized bedding set is sealed at a second level of compressionresulting in a second pressure differential less than the first pressuredifferential; the vacuum-sealable bag containing the full-sized beddingset is sealed at a third level of compression resulting in a thirdpressure differential less than the second pressure differential, andthe vacuum-sealable bag containing the twin-sized bedding set is sealedat a fourth level of compression resulting in a fourth pressuredifferential less than the third pressure differential.

It further should be understood and appreciated that, in at least somepreferred embodiments, a vacuum-sealable bag containing textile softgoods may possess an insufficient hoop strength to retain the textilesoft goods in a compressed condition therein without a pressuredifferential upon pressure equalization and loss of the pressuredifferential. In such embodiments wherein the vacuum-sealable bag islocated within separate retail packaging, it is preferred that suchretail packaging be capable of retaining the textile soft goods in acompressed condition within the vacuum-sealable bag. In some preferredembodiments the opaque corner portions are configured to enhance thehoop strength of the case. In at least some preferred embodiments,especially those in which the vacuum-sealable bag serves as the retailpackaging, the vacuum-sealable bag itself possesses a hoop strength thatis sufficient to maintain the textile soft goods in a compressedcondition within the vacuum-sealable bag upon equalization of thepressure in the interior space of the vacuum-sealable bag and a pressureexterior to the vacuum-sealable bag.

FIGS. 9A-9B are schematic illustrations of components and dimensions ofa preferred case in accordance with one or more aspects of the presentinvention. The components shown include: a card 900 for a back pocket ofa case; panels 910 for a case; corner reinforcements 920; a card insert930 for a front pocket of a case; and a loop 940 representative of eachof front and rear handles of a case.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary card insert 1000 of some preferredembodiments in accordance with one or more aspects of the invention.

FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of another preferred case 1100 inaccordance with one or more aspects of the invention. Additionally, FIG.12 is a front plan view of the case 1100; FIG. 13 is a rear plan view ofthe case 1100; FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the case 1100; and FIG. 15is a side plan view of the case 1100.

FIG. 16A is a rear perspective view of another preferred case 1600 inaccordance with one or more aspects of the invention. Additionally, FIG.16B is a front perspective view of the case 1600; and FIG. 16C isanother front perspective view of the case 1100.

FIGS. 17-21 illustrate yet another preferred case 1700 in accordancewith one or more aspects of the present invention. In particular, FIG.17 is a front perspective view of case 1700 in accordance with one ormore aspects of the invention. Additionally, FIG. 18 is a front planview of the case 1700; FIG. 19 is a rear plan view of the case 1700;FIG. 20 is a top plan view of the case 1700; and FIG. 21 is a side planview of the case 1700. Case 1700 includes therein textile soft goodsvacuum-packed within a reusable vacuum-sealable bag. As will beappreciated from these drawings, the vacuum-sealable bag entirelyconsumes the interior space of the case 1700 and has resulted in thisinstance in the bulging of the case 1700. Moreover, case 1700 isillustrative of a case having sufficient hoop strength to maintain thetextile soft goods in the vacuum-sealable bag in a compressed conditionupon a loss of a pressure differential.

FIGS. 22-28 illustrate retail packaging comprising a preferred box 2200in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. Inparticular, FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of box 2200; FIG. 23 isa front plan view of the box 2200; FIG. 24 is a rear plan view of thebox 2200; FIG. 25 is a top plan view of the box 2200; FIG. 26 is abottom plan view of the box 2200; FIG. 27 is a plan view of a first sideof the box 2200; and FIG. 28 is a plan view of the other side of the box2200. The box 2200 preferably is made from post-consumer cardboard orother stock, includes a handle 2240, and includes media printed thereon(not shown). The box 2200 further defines both an opening 2210 that iscovered by an opaque sheet of material 2215 and a window 2230 throughwhich one or more contents of the box preferably are visible, includinga portion of the textile soft goods that are contained within thereusable vacuum-sealable bag inside the box 2200. Preferably, the window2230 is sufficient to quickly convey to a consumer a color, a pattern,or both, of the textile soft goods contained in the box 2200. A bridge2220 extends across the opening 2210 and also include printed media. Thebridge 2220 preferably is installed on the box 2200 by insertingopposite ends of the bridge 2220 through slots formed in the frontsurface of the box above and below the opening 2210. The informationdisplayed on the bridge 2220 preferably varies according to theparticular size for which the contained textile soft goods areapplicable, whereby during packaging of such products, the same boxeshaving the identical printed media on its surfaces may be usedregardless of the particular size to which particular textile soft goodscorrespond. Additionally, in variations of the box 2200, the sheet ofmaterial 2215 may be transparent or translucent, or omitted altogetherfor better viewing of the contents of the box 2200.

FIGS. 29-31 illustrate retail packaging comprising another preferred box2900 in accordance with one or more aspects of the present invention. Inparticular, FIG. 29 is a front perspective view of box 2900; FIG. 30 isa front plan view of the box 2900; and FIG. 31 is a side plan view ofthe box 2900. The box 2900 is similar to that of box 2200, but does notinclude a window like the window 2230 of box 2200. Box 2900 furtherincludes a wrapper 2960 that is placed around the bridge 2920 and thatitself preferably includes printed media thereon. In this variant, thebridge 2920 may not include printed media thereon, with the printedmedia that otherwise would be on the bridge 2920 instead being printedon the wrapper 2960. Additionally, in variations of the box 2900, thesheet of material 2915 may be transparent or translucent, or omittedaltogether for better viewing of the contents of the box 2900.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that environmentally friendlysystems are disclosed in accordance with one or more aspects of theinvention that feature product packaging that is reused post purchase byconsumers. For example, such a system includes packaging textile softgoods products for retail sale as described above and advertising, as aselling point to consumers, the reusability of the vacuum-resealablebags in which the textile soft goods products are sold at retail.Another exemplary system includes purchasing textile soft goods productsas described above by consumers, and removing the textile soft goodsfrom the vacuum-resealable bags for—and reusing the vacuum-resealablebags by—vacuum-packing items therein by the consumers.

Another such system includes packaging textile soft goods products forretail sale as described above; shipping the products to retailers fordisplaying; individually displaying to consumers the products for retailsale by setting out the products on store shelves; removing by theconsumers the vacuum-resealable bags from the respective retailpackaging and removing the textile soft goods thereof from therespective vacuum-resealable bags; and reusing by the consumers thevacuum-resealable bags by vacuum-packing items therein.

Inventive Business Model Utilizing Regional Packaging Centers forManufacturers and Retailers

The invention further encompasses inventive business models, of whichthe system 3200 illustrated in FIG. 32 is representative. In accordancewith system 3200, one or more first party manufacturers, represented byM₁, M₂, M₃, and M₄ through M_(X), each manufacture textile soft goods,such as those represented at 3210 shown together with eight othertextile soft goods in a shipping container. The system 3200 alsoincludes one or more packaging centers of a first party, represented byPkgC₁ through PkgC_(Y). The packaging centers may be regional.Preferably, each manufacturer ships its manufactured textile soft goodsto a packaging center. The textile soft goods received from amanufacturer at a packaging center are then packaged within a reusablevacuum-resealable bag as set forth above, and may further be located andcontained within retail packaging in accordance with one or more aspectsand features of the invention disclosed above, as illustrated at 3220 inFIG. 32. It is contemplated that one or more textile soft goods from amanufacturer may be combined with one or more textile soft goods ofanother manufacturer during this process, if desired, such as wherecomforters may come from a manufacturer that is different from amanufacturer of sheet sets with which the comforters are combined andpackaged as a single retail product; however, it is preferred that thetextile soft goods manufactured and sold for a first company are notcombined with the textile soft goods manufactured and sold for anothercompany. The vacuum-packed textile soft goods contained in retailpackaging are then shipped in containers 3230 from the packaging centersto the respective retailers that carry such products, represented by R₁,R₂, R₃, and R₄ through R_(Z).

The products are then removed by the retailers from the shippingcontainers 3230 and are displayed on shelves, as represented at 3240 inFIG. 32, for sale to consumers at retail. Each product includes thecompression-packed textile soft goods contained within retail packagingincluding a vacuum-sealable bag, preferably as received from thepackaging center at which the product was packed. It will be noted that,as illustrated, each product in the retail display arrangement at 3240in FIG. 32 takes up the same retail shelf space even though the productsare for four different sizes of beds in this illustration.

Products sold at retail may be packed for retail sale at a packagingcenter even where such products are competing products of differentcompanies. In this regard, it is possible that the benefits of theenvironmentally friendly packaging in accordance with aspects of theinvention may outweigh any competitive advantages to be gained by onecompetitor using such environmentally friendly packaging to theexclusion of other competitors. Indeed, it is possible that societyoverall would benefit from adoption of such environmentally friendlypackaging of most, if not all, textile soft goods, and even other goodsthat may be appropriate for such packaging. Moreover, the packagingcenters may be geographically dispersed throughout a region or countryfor accommodating efficient shipment to and from such packaging centers.

Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood bythose persons skilled in the art that the present invention issusceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments andadaptations of the present invention other than those specificallydescribed herein, as well as many variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggestedby the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, withoutdeparting from the substance or scope of the present invention.Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein indetail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to beunderstood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary ofthe present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing afull and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosureis not intended to be construed to limit the present invention orotherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations,modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention beinglimited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.

For example, while the foregoing description has focused on theinclusion of a vacuum-sealable bag located within retail packaging andcontaining textile soft goods, it is contemplated that thevacuum-sealable bag itself may serve as the retail packaging for thetextile soft goods at retail. In this example, the printed media may bean adhesive label that is adhered to the vacuum-sealable bag itself. Itis further contemplated that textile soft goods may be sold at retail toconsumers in reusable vacuum-sealable bags wherein the textile softgoods, while contained within the vacuum-sealable bags, are not sealedunder pressure in the vacuum-sealable bags; are not subject to apressure differential existing across the vacuum-sealable bag betweenthe interior of the vacuum-sealable bag and an exterior of thevacuum-sealable bag; or both. Nevertheless, it is believes that suchretail products are environmentally friendly as a result of the reusablecharacteristics of the vacuum-sealable bags by consumers post purchase.

1. A consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale, comprising:(a) a vacuum-resealable bag having, (i) air impermeable walls definingan interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag, (ii) a one-way valveassembly configured to permit air to be evacuated through the one-wayvalve assembly from the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag butto preclude air from entering the interior space of the vacuum sealablebag through the one-way valve assembly, and (iii) a closure mechanismconfigured to seal a mouth of the vacuum-resealable bag in an airtightmanner, (iv) wherein the vacuum-resealable bag is configured to maintaina vacuum condition within the interior space when the closure mechanismseals the mouth of the vacuum-resealable bag and air is evacuatedthrough the one-way valve assembly from the interior space defined bythe vacuum-resealable bag, and (v) wherein the vacuum-resealable bag isconfigured to be opened and then reclosed such that thevacuum-resealable bag is reusable by a consumer for vacuum-packing afterthe one or more textile soft goods have been removed from the interiorspace of the vacuum-resealable bag; and (b) one or more textile softgoods located within the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag. 2.The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of claim 1,wherein the one or more textile soft goods located within the interiorspace of the vacuum-resealable bag are maintained in a compressedcondition resulting from a pressure differential existing between apressure in the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag and apressure exterior to the vacuum-resealable bag.
 3. The consumer textilesoft goods product for retail sale of claim 2, further comprising retailpackaging comprising a case in which the vacuum-resealable bagcontaining the textile soft goods is contained, wherein a hoop strengthof the case is sufficient to maintain the textile soft goods in acompressed condition within the vacuum-resealable bag upon equalizationof the pressure in the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag and apressure exterior to the vacuum-resealable bag.
 4. The consumer textilesoft goods product for retail sale of claim 1, wherein the one-way valveassembly is located in a wall of the vacuum-resealable bag and isconfigured to receive a nozzle of a vacuum cleaner hose, whereby the airwithin the interior space may be evacuated using a vacuum cleaner. 5.The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of claim 1,wherein the one-way valve assembly of the vacuum-resealable bag isconfigured to expel air from the interior space thereof upon rolling upof the vacuum-resealable bag by a consumer for creating a pressuredifferential between a pressure in the interior space of the bag and apressure exterior to the bag.
 6. The consumer textile soft goods productfor retail sale of claim 1, wherein the textile soft goods comprise aplurality of individual bedding components constituting a bedding set.7. The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of claim 1,wherein none of the textile soft goods are individually packaged.
 8. Theconsumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of claim 1, furthercomprising printed media identifying the one or more textile soft goodscontained in the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag, theprinted media being physically associated with the vacuum-resealable bagfor viewing by a consumer at retail sale.
 9. The consumer textile softgoods product for retail sale of claim 8, wherein the printed mediafurther identifies the reusability of the vacuum-resealable bag.
 10. Theconsumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of claim 8, whereinthe printed media comprises an adhesive label that is attached to thevacuum-resealable bag.
 11. The consumer textile soft goods product forretail sale of claim 10, wherein retail packaging of the textile softgoods product for retail sale comprises the vacuum-resealable bag. 12.The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of claim 1,wherein at least a portion of the vacuum-resealable bag is transparentsuch that one or more contents of the vacuum-resealable bag are viewablethere through.
 13. The consumer textile soft goods product for retailsale of claim 1, further comprising retail packaging defining aninterior space in which the vacuum-resealable bag containing the textilesoft goods is contained.
 14. The consumer textile soft goods product forretail sale of claim 1, further comprising retail packaging comprising acase in which the vacuum-resealable bag containing the textile softgoods is contained, the case configured to be opened and then reclosedsuch that the case is reusable by a consumer after the vacuum-resealablebag containing the bedding set has been removed therefrom by theconsumer.
 15. The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale ofclaim 14, wherein at least a portion of the vacuum-resealable bag istransparent such that one or more contents of the vacuum-resealable bagare viewable there through, and at least a portion of the case istransparent such that one or more contents of the vacuum-resealable bagare further viewable there through, the vacuum-resealable bag beingarranged within the case such that the one or more contents of thevacuum-resealable bag are viewable through both the case and thevacuum-resealable bag by a prospective customer at retail sale.
 16. Theconsumer textile soft goods product for retail sale of claim 14, furthercomprising printed media identifying the one or more textile soft goodscontained in the interior space of the vacuum-resealable bag, theprinted media being physically associated with the vacuum-resealable bagfor viewing by a consumer at retail sale, wherein the printed mediacomprises an adhesive label that is attached to the case containing thevacuum-resealable bag.
 17. The consumer textile soft goods product forretail sale of claim 14, further comprising printed media identifyingthe one or more textile soft goods contained in the interior space ofthe vacuum-resealable bag, the printed media being physically associatedwith the vacuum-resealable bag for viewing by a consumer at retail sale,wherein the case comprises a pocket, the pocket including a transparentpanel through which contents of the pocket are viewable from an exteriorof the case, and wherein the printed media comprises a rigid planarmember comprising a card insert that is retained within the pocket ofthe case.
 18. The consumer textile soft goods product for retail sale ofclaim 17, wherein the pocket includes opposing front and reartransparent panels whereby contents of the pocket are viewable throughboth the front and rear transparent panels.
 19. The consumer textilesoft goods product for retail sale of claim 14, wherein the case definesan interior containment space that is practically entirely consumed bythe vacuum-resealable bag contained therein.
 20. The consumer textilesoft goods product for retail sale of claim 19, wherein the casecomprises opposed transparent panels, and wherein corners of thetransparent panels include non-transparent components that cover thecorners of the vacuum-resealable bag and that reinforce the case andcontribute to the hoop strength of the case.
 21. An environmentallyfriendly system in which product packaging is reused post purchase byconsumers, comprising: (a) packaging textile soft goods products forretail sale comprising, for each textile soft goods product, the stepsof, (i) locating textile soft goods within an interior space of avacuum-resealable bag, (ii) locating the vacuum-resealable bag withinretail packaging, and (iii) identifying the textile soft goods containedin the vacuum-resealable bag by physically associating printed mediawith the retail packaging, (iv) wherein the vacuum-resealable bag isconfigured to be opened and then reclosed such that thevacuum-resealable bag is reusable for vacuum-packing by a consumer afterthe textile soft goods have been removed therefrom post purchase; and(b) advertising as a selling point to consumers the reusability of thevacuum-resealable bags of the textile soft goods products for retailsale.
 22. The environmentally friendly system in which product packagingis reused post purchase by consumers in accordance with claim 21,wherein the textile soft goods contained in the vacuum-resealable bagare identified as being a bedding set.
 23. The environmentally friendlysystem in which product packaging is reused post purchase by consumersin accordance with claim 21, wherein the vacuum-resealable bag of eachtextile soft goods product comprises a one-way valve assembly configuredsuch that air, which is evacuated through the one-way valve assemblyfrom an interior space defined by the vacuum-resealable bag, is keptfrom reentering the vacuum-resealable bag through the one-way valveassembly, and a closure mechanism configured to seal a mouth of thevacuum-resealable bag in an airtight manner.
 24. The environmentallyfriendly system in which product packaging is reused post purchase byconsumers in accordance with claim 23, wherein the one-way valveassembly of each textile soft goods product is located in a wall of therespective vacuum-resealable bag and is configured to receive a nozzleof a vacuum cleaner hose, whereby the air within the interior space maybe evacuated by a consumer using a vacuum cleaner post retail purchase.25. The environmentally friendly system in which product packaging isreused post purchase by consumers in accordance with claim 23, whereinthe one-way valve assembly of each textile soft goods product isconfigured to expel air from the interior space of the vacuum-resealablebag upon rolling up of the vacuum-resealable bag by a consumer forcreating a pressure differential between a pressure in the interiorspace of the bag and a pressure exterior to the bag post retailpurchase.
 26. The environmentally friendly system in which productpackaging is reused post purchase by consumers in accordance with claim21, wherein the textile soft goods of each product are maintained in acompressed condition within the vacuum-resealable bag by a pressuredifferential that exists between a pressure within the interiorcontainment space of the vacuum-resealable bag and a pressure exteriorto the vacuum-resealable bag.
 27. The environmentally friendly system inwhich product packaging is reused post purchase by consumers inaccordance with claim 26, wherein the retail packaging of each textilesoft goods product has the same volume and footprint.
 28. Theenvironmentally friendly system in which product packaging is reusedpost purchase by consumers in accordance with claim 26, wherein theretail packaging of each textile soft goods product is identical insize.
 79. The environmentally friendly system in which product packagingis reused post purchase by consumers in accordance with claim 26,wherein the respective pressure differentials of at least some of thetextile soft goods products are different.
 30. The environmentallyfriendly system in which product packaging is reused post purchase byconsumers in accordance with claim 26, wherein the retail packaging ofeach textile soft goods product is configured to be opened and thenreclosed such that the retail packaging is reusable by a consumer postretail purchase.
 31. The environmentally friendly system in whichproduct packaging is reused post purchase by consumers in accordancewith claim 26, wherein the textile soft goods contained in thevacuum-resealable bag are identified as being a bedding set, and whereinthe respective bedding components of at least some of the textile softgoods products are for different bed sizes.
 32. The environmentallyfriendly system in which product packaging is reused post purchase byconsumers in accordance with claim 26, wherein the retail packaging ofeach textile soft goods product does not include an airtight sealclosing off the interior containment space in which the respectivevacuum-resealable bag is contained.
 33. The environmentally friendlysystem in which product packaging is reused post purchase by consumersin accordance with claim 26, wherein a hoop strength of the retailpackaging of each textile soft goods product is sufficient to maintainthe textile soft goods contained in the respective vacuum-resealable bagin a compressed condition upon a loss of the respective pressuredifferential.
 34. The environmentally friendly system in which productpackaging is reused post purchase by consumers in accordance with claim21, wherein said advertising step is performed by including printedmedia that is physically associated with the retail packaging of eachtextile soft goods product, the printed media identifying the reusablevacuum-resealable bag contained within the retail packaging.
 35. Theenvironmentally friendly system in which product packaging is reusedpost purchase by consumers in accordance with claim 34, wherein theprinted media is removable from the retail packaging by the consumerpost purchase.
 36. The environmentally friendly system in which productpackaging is reused post purchase by consumers in accordance with claim34, wherein the printed media comprises a card insert that is receivedand contained within a pocket of the retail packaging, wherein thepocket includes at least a portion thereof that is transparent, wherebythe card insert contained within the pocket may be viewed from anexterior of the retail packaging by the consumer, and wherein the cardinsert is removable from the pocket by the consumer post purchase. 37.The environmentally friendly system in which product packaging is reusedpost purchase by consumers in accordance with claim 21, wherein at leasta portion of the outer bag of each textile soft goods product istransparent such that one or more contents of the outer bag are viewabletherethrough, and at least a portion of the respective vacuum-resealablebag contained in the outer bag is transparent such that one or morecontents of the respective vacuum-resealable bag are further viewabletherethrough.
 38. The environmentally friendly system in which productpackaging is reused post purchase by consumers in accordance with claim21, wherein none of the textile soft goods of each of the products areindividually packaged.
 39. The environmentally friendly system in whichproduct packaging is reused post purchase by consumers in accordancewith claim 21, wherein the interior containment space defined by theretail packaging of each textile soft goods product is practicallyentirely consumed by the respective vacuum-resealable bag containedtherein.
 40. The environmentally friendly system in which productpackaging is reused post purchase by consumers in accordance with claim21, wherein the retail packaging comprises a case that is configured tobe opened and then reclosed by a consumer such that the case is reusableafter the vacuum-resealable bag containing the textile soft goods hasbeen removed therefrom post purchase.